Key Facts: Liberia vs South Sudan Wages
- Liberia Minimum Wage
- $156/mo
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Liberia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour (Liberia) (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Liberia
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Liberia is roughly 102 times higher than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $350/mo in Liberia versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 12.9:1 ratio. Liberia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.9% compared to 12.4%.
From Liberia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Liberia's minimum wage buys more than South Sudan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Liberia is $339 international dollars, compared to $55 in South Sudan. Liberia's unemployment rate is 2.9% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Liberia | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | $6 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $156 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | $900 /yr | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Liberia is higher.
Work Week
- Liberia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Decent Work Act 2015 sets a standard workweek of 8 hours/day, 6 days/week (48 hours). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply to formal-sector employers.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from South Sudan to Liberia would see a 10131% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Liberia mandates 48 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Liberia are $7,488 vs $61 in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Liberia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Liberia or South Sudan?
In Liberia, the minimum wage is $156/mo. In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). Liberia has the higher rate by 10131% 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 South Sudan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Liberia compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Liberia is $350/mo, compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Liberia earn approximately 1185% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Liberia and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Liberia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Liberia or South Sudan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Liberia can afford more than those in South Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $339 in Liberia and $55 in South Sudan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 514% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in South Sudan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Liberia and South Sudan?
Liberia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in Liberia 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.