Key Facts: South Sudan vs Benin Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Benin Minimum Wage
- CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (2026-02-25)
South Sudan
Benin
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in South Sudan is 183% higher than in Benin when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $27/mo in South Sudan versus $215/mo in Benin, a 7.9:1 ratio. Benin has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.6% compared to 12.4%.
South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to Benin's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | Benin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA300 $0.54 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | CFA52,000 $93.36 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CFA624,000 $1,120.29 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 | CFA100,000 /mo $179.53 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means South Sudan is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Benin
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.12x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Benin to South Sudan would see a 183% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Benin's perspective: Benin vs South Sudan
Compare South Sudan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Sudan or Benin?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In Benin, it is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 183% 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 Benin may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in South Sudan compared to Benin?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Benin. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 691% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and Benin is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Benin earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between South Sudan and Benin?
Both South Sudan and Benin 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.