Key Facts: South Sudan vs Burkina Faso Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Burkina Faso Minimum Wage
- CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Burkina Faso Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA89,000 /mo ($159.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministere du Travail (Ministry of Labour) / Decree No. 2023-1450 (2026-02-25)
South Sudan
Burkina Faso
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in South Sudan is 227% higher than in Burkina Faso when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $27/mo in South Sudan versus $160/mo in Burkina Faso, a 5.9:1 ratio. Burkina Faso has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 12.4%.
South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to Burkina Faso's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | Burkina Faso |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA259.62 $0.47 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | CFA45,000 $80.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CFA540,000 $969.48 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | CFA89,000 /mo $159.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 | CFA75,000 /mo $134.65 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 |
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.
- Burkina Faso
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday). First 8 overtime hours paid at 115% of normal rate; subsequent hours at 135%. Nighttime overtime earns 150% premium. Work on Sundays/public holidays at 160% (nighttime: 220%).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Burkina Faso to South Sudan would see a 227% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Burkina Faso's perspective: Burkina Faso vs South Sudan
Compare South Sudan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Sudan or Burkina Faso?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In Burkina Faso, it is CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 227% 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 Burkina Faso 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 Burkina Faso?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to CFA89,000/mo ($159.78 USD) in Burkina Faso. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 487% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and Burkina Faso is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Burkina Faso 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 Burkina Faso?
Both South Sudan and Burkina Faso 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.