Key Facts: Nicaragua vs Sudan Wages
- Nicaragua Minimum Wage
- C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD)
- Sudan Minimum Wage
- ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
- Nicaragua Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- C$15,000 /mo ($407.61 USD)
- Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo (Ministry of Labour) / National Minimum Wage Commission — Nicaragua (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)
Nicaragua
Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Nicaragua is roughly 33 times lower than in Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $408/mo in Nicaragua versus $140/mo in Sudan, a 2.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Nicaragua is 4.1x that of Sudan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Nicaragua has higher GDP per capita ($8,709 vs $2,116). Nicaragua's unemployment rate is 5.0% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nicaragua | Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | C$55.48 $1.51 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | C$13,315.61 $361.84 | ج.س.30,000 $49.59 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | C$15,000 /mo $407.61 | ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | C$12,000 /mo $326.09 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | C$72,000 /yr $1,956.52 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Nicaragua is higher.
Work Week
- Nicaragua
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Night work is limited to 45 hours/week (7.5 hours/day). Mixed shifts limited to 7 hours/day. Overtime is paid at 2x the regular rate. Workers are entitled to one mandatory rest day per week. Governed by the Código del Trabajo (Labour Code).
- 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 Nicaragua earns 3189% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Nicaragua mandates 48 hours while Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Nicaragua are $72 vs $1,983 in Sudan.
See this comparison from Sudan's perspective: Sudan vs Nicaragua
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Nicaragua or Sudan?
In Nicaragua, the minimum wage is C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Sudan has the higher rate by 3189% 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 Nicaragua may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Nicaragua compared to Sudan?
The average gross salary in Nicaragua is C$15,000/mo ($407.61 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Nicaragua earn approximately 190% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Nicaragua and Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Nicaragua earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Nicaragua and Sudan?
Nicaragua has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sudan. Workers in Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua and Sudan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Nicaragua has the higher GDP per capita at $8,709, which is 4.1x that of Sudan at $2,116. From Nicaragua'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.