Key Facts: Netherlands vs South Sudan Wages
- Netherlands Minimum Wage
- €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Netherlands Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands); 2026 monthly basis verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (40-hour workweek convention) (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Netherlands 
South Sudan
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in the Netherlands is roughly 11 times higher than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,542/mo in the Netherlands versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 166.8:1 ratio. Netherlands has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.9% compared to 12.4%.
The Netherlands' unemployment rate is 3.9% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Netherlands | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €14.71 $17.13 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €2,549.73 $2,969.29 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €30,596.76 $35,631.49 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €2,750 /mo $3,202.52 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | €36,500 /yr $42,506.11 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Netherlands is higher.
Work Week
- Netherlands
-
36 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek varies by sector: commonly 36, 38, or 40 hours. The Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) limits working time to 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, averaged to a maximum of 48 hours over 16 weeks. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements or individual contracts.
- 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 moving from South Sudan to the Netherlands would see a 1024% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Netherlands mandates 36 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Netherlands are $617 vs $61 in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Netherlands
Compare Netherlands with...
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Netherlands vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Netherlands or South Sudan?
In the Netherlands, the minimum wage is €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). Netherlands has the higher rate by 1024% 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 Netherlands compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in the Netherlands is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in the Netherlands earn approximately 16581% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Netherlands and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Netherlands earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Netherlands and South Sudan?
South Sudan has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 36 hours in the Netherlands. Workers in the Netherlands work 36 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Netherlands 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.