Key Facts: Kuwait vs Sudan Wages
- Kuwait Minimum Wage
- KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD)
- Sudan Minimum Wage
- ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
- Kuwait Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KWD1,200 /mo ($3,908.79 USD)
- Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- Public Authority for Manpower — State of Kuwait (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)
Kuwait
Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Kuwait is roughly 39 times lower than in Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,909/mo in Kuwait versus $140/mo in Sudan, a 27.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kuwait is 24.8x that of Sudan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Kuwait has higher GDP per capita ($52,444 vs $2,116). Kuwait's unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kuwait | Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KWD0.39 $1.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | KWD75 $244.30 | ج.س.30,000 $49.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | KWD900 $2,931.60 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79 | ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | KWD9,600 /yr $31,270.36 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Kuwait is higher.
Work Week
- Kuwait
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium is 25% of regular pay, with work on rest days or public holidays at double pay. Government sector hours are typically 35 hours/week.
- Sudan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act of 2017 sets standard hours at 8 per day / 40 per week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day (Islamic calendar). These provisions apply to formal employment only and enforcement has been severely disrupted by the 2023 conflict.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Kuwait earns 3803% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Kuwait mandates 48 hours while Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Kuwait are $61 vs $1,983 in Sudan.
See this comparison from Sudan's perspective: Sudan vs Kuwait
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kuwait or Sudan?
In Kuwait, the minimum wage is KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Sudan has the higher rate by 3803% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Kuwait may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Kuwait compared to Sudan?
The average gross salary in Kuwait is KWD1,200/mo ($3,908.79 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Kuwait earn approximately 2682% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kuwait and Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kuwait earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Kuwait and Sudan?
Kuwait has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sudan. Workers in Kuwait work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sudan working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Kuwait and Sudan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Kuwait has the higher GDP per capita at $52,444, which is 24.8x that of Sudan at $2,116. From Kuwait's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.