Key Facts: Malawi vs Sudan Wages
- Malawi Minimum Wage
- MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD)
- Sudan Minimum Wage
- ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
- Malawi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MK120,000 /mo ($69.16 USD)
- Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malawi Ministry of Labour / Minimum Wages Board / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)
Malawi
Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Malawi is roughly 358 times lower than in Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $69/mo in Malawi versus $140/mo in Sudan, a 2.0:1 ratio. Malawi has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.1% compared to 7.5%.
Malawi has lower GDP per capita ($1,858 vs $2,116). Malawi's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Malawi | Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MK240.40 $0.14 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | MK1,923 $1.11 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | MK50,000 $28.82 | ج.س.30,000 $49.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MK600,000 $345.82 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MK120,000 /mo $69.16 | ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50 |
| Median individual income /yr | MK360,000 /yr $207.49 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Malawi is higher.
Work Week
- Malawi
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act (Cap 55:02) sets maximum ordinary working hours at 48 per week (8 hrs/day, 6 days) or 45 hours over 5 days. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Night work (6pm–6am) attracts a premium. Public holidays are compensated at double time if worked. Workers are entitled to 15 days of paid annual leave after 12 months.
- 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 Malawi earns 35687% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Malawi mandates 48 hours while Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Malawi are $7 vs $1,983 in Sudan.
See this comparison from Sudan's perspective: Sudan vs Malawi
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Malawi or Sudan?
In Malawi, the minimum wage is MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Sudan has the higher rate by 35687% 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 Malawi may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Malawi compared to Sudan?
The average gross salary in Malawi is MK120,000/mo ($69.16 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Malawi earn approximately 103% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malawi and Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Sudan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Malawi.
How do work hours compare between Malawi and Sudan?
Malawi has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sudan. Workers in Malawi 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 Malawi and Sudan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Sudan has the higher GDP per capita at $2,116, which is 1.1x that of Malawi at $1,858. From Malawi's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.