Key Facts: Republic of the Congo vs South Sudan Wages
- Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FCFA90,000/mo ($161.58 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA280,000 /mo ($502.69 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Congo-Brazzaville) (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Republic of the Congo
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Republic of the Congo is roughly 106 times higher than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $503/mo in the Republic of the Congo versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 18.5:1 ratio. South Sudan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 12.4% compared to 19.9%.
From the Republic of the Congo's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, the Republic of the Congo's minimum wage buys more than South Sudan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in the Republic of the Congo is $420 international dollars, compared to $55 in South Sudan. The Republic of the Congo's unemployment rate is 19.9% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Republic of the Congo | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA90,000 $161.58 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA280,000 /mo $502.69 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA480,000 /yr $861.76 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Republic of the Congo is higher.
Work Week
- Republic of the Congo
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x for the first 8 hours, 2x thereafter. Sunday is the statutory rest day.
- 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 the Republic of the Congo would see a 10497% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Republic of the Congo
Compare Republic of the Congo with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Republic of the Congo or South Sudan?
In the Republic of the Congo, the minimum wage is FCFA90,000/mo ($161.58 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). Republic of the Congo has the higher rate by 10497% 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 Republic of the Congo compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in the Republic of the Congo is FCFA280,000/mo ($502.69 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in the Republic of the Congo earn approximately 1746% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Republic of the Congo and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Republic of the Congo 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, Republic of the Congo or South Sudan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in the Republic of the Congo can afford more than those in South Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $420 in the Republic of the Congo 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 661% 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 Republic of the Congo and South Sudan?
Both Republic of the Congo and South 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.