Key Facts: Panama vs Sudan Wages
- Panama Minimum Wage
- B/.1.69/hr ($1.69 USD)
- Sudan Minimum Wage
- ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
- Panama Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B/.1,100 /mo ($1,100 USD)
- Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral (MITRADEL) (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)
Panama
Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Panama is roughly 29 times lower than in Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,100/mo in Panama versus $140/mo in Sudan, a 7.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Panama is 19.6x that of Sudan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Panama has higher GDP per capita ($41,369 vs $2,116). Panama's unemployment rate is 8.4% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Panama | Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B/.1.69 $1.69 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | B/.326 $326 | ج.س.30,000 $49.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B/.4,238 $4,238 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B/.1,100 /mo $1,100 | ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B/.990 /mo $990 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | B/.7,800 /yr $7,800 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Panama is higher.
Work Week
- Panama
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary workday at 8 hours (daytime), 7 hours (mixed shift), and 6 hours (nighttime). Weekly maximum 48 hours for day work. Overtime: 25% surcharge for first 3 hours, 50% thereafter on regular days; 50% on holidays; and 75% on rest days (Sundays). Night work (6pm-6am) earns a 50% surcharge.
- 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 Panama earns 2834% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Panama mandates 48 hours while Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Panama are $81 vs $1,983 in Sudan.
See this comparison from Sudan's perspective: Sudan vs Panama
Compare Panama with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Panama or Sudan?
In Panama, the minimum wage is B/.1.69/hr ($1.69 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Sudan has the higher rate by 2834% 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 Panama may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Panama compared to Sudan?
The average gross salary in Panama is B/.1,100/mo ($1,100 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Panama earn approximately 683% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Panama and Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Panama earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Panama and Sudan?
Panama has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sudan. Workers in Panama 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 Panama and Sudan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Panama has the higher GDP per capita at $41,369, which is 19.6x that of Sudan at $2,116. From Panama'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.