Laos South Sudan

Updated 2026-02-25

Laos

Minimum Wage

₭10,417 /hr

$0.48 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₭4,000,000 /mo

South Sudan

Minimum Wage

£7,000 /mo

$1.52 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£125,000 /mo

Min wage: -68% Laos vs South Sudan Avg. salary: +582% Laos vs South Sudan

The minimum wage in Laos is 68% lower than in South Sudan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $186/mo in Laos versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 6.8:1 ratio. Laos has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.2% compared to 12.4%.

Laos' unemployment rate is 1.2% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Laos and South Sudan
Metric	Laos	South Sudan	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	₭10,417 $0.48	—	—
Minimum wage /mo	₭2,500,000 $116.12	£7,000 $1.52	+7515.6%
Avg. gross salary /mo	₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79	£125,000 /mo $27.23	+582.4%
Avg. net salary /mo	₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21	£112,000 /mo $24.40	+585.4%
Median individual income /yr	₭18,000,000 /yr $836.04	N/A/yr	—

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Laos is higher.

Work Week

Laos: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Workers in dangerous conditions are limited to 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 45 hours/month or 3 hours/day. Overtime compensation: 1.5x regular rate on normal days, 2.5x on weekly rest days during daytime, 3x on rest days at night. Governed by the Labour Law.
South Sudan: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Act 2017 sets 40 hours/week as standard. Enforcement is effectively non-existent across most of the country due to ongoing conflict, institutional collapse, and absence of functioning labour inspectorates.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Laos earns 215% less per hour in USD terms than one in South Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Laos mandates 48 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Laos are $23 vs $61 in South Sudan.

See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Laos

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Laos or South Sudan?

In Laos, the minimum wage is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 215% 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 Laos may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Laos compared to South Sudan?

The average gross salary in Laos is ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Laos earn approximately 582% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Laos and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Laos earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.

How do work hours compare between Laos and South Sudan?

Laos has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in Laos work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in South 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.