Key Facts: South Sudan vs Bhutan Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25)
South Sudan
Bhutan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in South Sudan is roughly 23 times lower than in Bhutan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $27/mo in South Sudan versus $198/mo in Bhutan, a 7.3:1 ratio. Bhutan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.2% compared to 12.4%.
From South Sudan's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, South Sudan's minimum wage buys less than Bhutan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in South Sudan is $55 international dollars, compared to $166 in Bhutan. South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to Bhutan's 3.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | Bhutan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | — | Nu125 $1.38 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | Nu3,250 $35.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Nu39,000 $429.04 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 |
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.
- Bhutan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Bhutan Labour and Employment Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard workweek (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. The public sector follows a 5-day, 8-hour schedule.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in South Sudan earns 2245% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bhutan.
See this comparison from Bhutan's perspective: Bhutan vs South Sudan
Compare South Sudan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Sudan or Bhutan?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In Bhutan, it is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 2245% 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 less does the average worker earn in South Sudan compared to Bhutan?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD) in Bhutan. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 627% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and Bhutan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bhutan 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, South Sudan or Bhutan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Bhutan can afford more than those in South Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $55 in South Sudan and $166 in Bhutan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 201% 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 South Sudan and Bhutan?
Both South Sudan and Bhutan 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.