Key Facts: Madagascar vs South Sudan Wages
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Madagascar 
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Madagascar is roughly 6 times lower than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $112/mo in Madagascar versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 4.1:1 ratio. Madagascar has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.0% compared to 12.4%.
Madagascar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Madagascar | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Ar1,202 $0.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Ar9,615 $2.16 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Ar250,000 $56.18 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Madagascar is higher.
Work Week
- Madagascar
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 2003-044) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% of normal rate (for the first 8 hours of overtime per week), then 160% (for subsequent hours), and 200% on Sundays and public holidays. Night work premium applies. EPZ workers may have different arrangements under zone-specific regulations.
- 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 Madagascar earns 464% less per hour in USD terms than one in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Madagascar
Compare Madagascar with...
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Madagascar vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Madagascar or South Sudan?
In Madagascar, the minimum wage is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 464% 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 Madagascar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Madagascar compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Madagascar is Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Madagascar earn approximately 313% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Madagascar and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Madagascar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Madagascar and South Sudan?
Both Madagascar and South Sudan mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.