Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Sudan Wages
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Sudan Minimum Wage
- ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)
Sierra Leone
Sudan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is 48% lower than in Sudan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average salaries are lower in Sierra Leone at $108/mo compared to $140/mo in Sudan. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sierra Leone is 1.7x that of Sudan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Sierra Leone's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Sierra Leone's minimum wage buys more than Sudan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Sierra Leone is $116 international dollars, compared to $41 in Sudan. Sierra Leone has higher GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $2,116). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | Le600 $25.97 | ج.س.30,000 $49.59 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 | ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50 |
| Median individual income /yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Sierra Leone is higher.
Work Week
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Sierra Leone earns 91% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sudan. However, after adjusting for cost of living, Sierra Leone's minimum wage provides more purchasing power.
See this comparison from Sudan's perspective: Sudan vs Sierra Leone
Compare Sierra Leone with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Sudan?
In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Sudan has the higher rate by 91% 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 Sierra Leone may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Sierra Leone compared to Sudan?
The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 30% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Sudan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Sierra Leone or Sudan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Sierra Leone can afford more than those in Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $116 in Sierra Leone and $41 in Sudan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 182% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Sudan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Sierra Leone and Sudan?
Both Sierra Leone and 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Sierra Leone and Sudan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Sierra Leone has the higher GDP per capita at $3,522, which is 1.7x that of Sudan at $2,116. From Sierra Leone'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.