Key Facts: Mexico vs South Sudan Wages
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Mexico
South Sudan
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 363 times higher than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $952/mo in Mexico versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 35.0:1 ratio. Mexico has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.7% compared to 12.4%.
From Mexico's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mexico's minimum wage buys more than South Sudan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mexico is $966 international dollars, compared to $55 in South Sudan. Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mexico | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | MX$315.04 $18.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mexico is higher.
Work Week
- Mexico
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (daytime). Night shift maximum is 42 hours, mixed shift 45 hours. First 9 hours of overtime per week at 200% rate; beyond that at 300%. A 2023 reform discussion to reduce to 40 hours is pending.
- 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 Mexico would see a 36175% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $61 in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Mexico
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or South Sudan?
In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 36175% 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 Mexico compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 3398% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mexico 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, Mexico or South Sudan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Mexico can afford more than those in South Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $966 in Mexico 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 1649% 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 Mexico and South Sudan?
Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in Mexico 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.