Key Facts: Mauritania vs Sudan Wages
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Sudan Minimum Wage
- ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)
Mauritania
Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Mauritania is roughly 15 times higher than in Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,625/mo in Mauritania versus $140/mo in Sudan, a 11.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mauritania is 3.5x that of Sudan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Mauritania's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mauritania's minimum wage buys more than Sudan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mauritania is $2,646 international dollars, compared to $41 in Sudan. Mauritania has higher GDP per capita ($7,369 vs $2,116). Mauritania's unemployment rate is 10.3% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mauritania | Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | UM1,200 $30 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | UM30,000 $750 | ج.س.30,000 $49.59 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 | ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mauritania is higher.
Work Week
- Mauritania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Sudan to Mauritania would see a 1413% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Sudan's perspective: Sudan vs Mauritania
Compare Mauritania with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritania or Sudan?
In Mauritania, the minimum wage is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 1413% 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 Sudan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mauritania compared to Sudan?
The average gross salary in Mauritania is UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Mauritania earn approximately 1057% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritania and Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mauritania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sudan.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Mauritania or Sudan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Mauritania can afford more than those in Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $2,646 in Mauritania and $41 in Sudan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 6333% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Sudan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Mauritania and Sudan?
Both Mauritania and 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Mauritania and Sudan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mauritania has the higher GDP per capita at $7,369, which is 3.5x that of Sudan at $2,116. From Mauritania's 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.