Mali South Sudan

Updated 2026-02-25

Mali

Minimum Wage

CFA192.30 /hr

$0.35 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

South Sudan

Minimum Wage

£7,000 /mo

$1.52 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£125,000 /mo

Min wage: -77% Mali vs South Sudan Avg. salary: +691% Mali vs South Sudan

The minimum wage in Mali is 77% lower than in South Sudan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Mali versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 7.9:1 ratio. Mali has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.8% compared to 12.4%.

Mali's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mali and South Sudan
Metric	Mali	South Sudan	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	CFA192.30 $0.35	—	—
Minimum wage /day	CFA1,538 $2.76	—	—
Minimum wage /mo	CFA40,000 $71.81	£7,000 $1.52	+4609.9%
Minimum wage /yr	CFA480,000 $861.76	—	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	CFA120,000 /mo $215.44	£125,000 /mo $27.23	+691.3%
Avg. net salary /mo	N/A/mo	£112,000 /mo $24.40	—
Median individual income /yr	CFA360,000 /yr $646.32	N/A/yr	—

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

Work Week

Mali: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.15x pay

Labour Code (Law No. 92-020 of 23 September 1992, amended) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime rates: 115% for day hours; 130% for hours between 21:00 and 05:00 on weekdays; 150% for Sunday daytime; 200% for night hours on Sundays/holidays. Workers are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked (30 days/year). Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) are accommodated — Mali is ~90% Muslim.
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 Mali earns 342% less per hour in USD terms than one in South Sudan.

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

Compare Mali with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mali or South Sudan?

In Mali, the minimum wage is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 342% 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 Mali may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

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

The average gross salary in Mali is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Mali earn approximately 691% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mali and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mali earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.

How do work hours compare between Mali and South Sudan?

Both Mali 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.