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Key Facts: Laos vs Sudan Wages

Laos Minimum Wage
₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD)
Sudan Minimum Wage
ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
Laos Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₭4,000,000 /mo ($185.79 USD)
Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare — Lao PDR (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)

Laos flag Laos Sudan flag Sudan

Updated 2026-02-25

Laos flag Laos

Minimum Wage

₭10,417 /hr

$0.48 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₭4,000,000 /mo

Sudan flag Sudan

Minimum Wage

ج.س.30,000 /mo

$49.59 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ج.س.85,000 /mo

Min wage: -99% Laos vs Sudan Avg. salary: +32% Laos vs Sudan

The minimum wage in Laos is roughly 102 times lower than in Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Laos at $186/mo compared to $140/mo in Sudan. GDP per capita (PPP) in Laos is 4.6x that of Sudan, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Laos has higher GDP per capita ($9,776 vs $2,116). Laos' unemployment rate is 1.2% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Laos and Sudan
Metric Laos Sudan
Minimum wage /hr ₭10,417 $0.48
Minimum wage /mo ₭2,500,000 $116.12 ج.س.30,000 $49.59
Avg. gross salary /mo ₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79 ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50
Avg. net salary /mo ₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21 N/A/mo
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.

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 Laos earns 10149% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Laos mandates 48 hours while Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Laos are $23 vs $1,983 in Sudan.

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

Compare Laos with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Laos or Sudan?

In Laos, the minimum wage is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Sudan has the higher rate by 10149% 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 Sudan?

The average gross salary in Laos is ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Laos earn approximately 32% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Laos and 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 Sudan.

How do work hours compare between Laos and Sudan?

Laos has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sudan. Workers in Laos 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 Laos and Sudan?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Laos has the higher GDP per capita at $9,776, which is 4.6x that of Sudan at $2,116. From Laos' 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.