Key Facts: South Sudan vs Central African Republic Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Central African Republic Minimum Wage
- FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Central African Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA75,000 /mo ($134.65 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHADA Labour Code (2026-02-25)
South Sudan
Central African Republic
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in South Sudan is roughly 41 times lower than in the Central African Republic in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $27/mo in South Sudan versus $135/mo in the Central African Republic, a 4.9:1 ratio. Central African Republic has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 6.3% compared to 12.4%.
From South Sudan's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, South Sudan's minimum wage buys less than the Central African Republic's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in South Sudan is $55 international dollars, compared to $141 in the Central African Republic. South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to the Central African Republic's 6.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | Central African Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | — | FCFA1,400 $2.51 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | FCFA35,000 $62.84 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | FCFA75,000 /mo $134.65 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 | N/A/mo |
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.
- Central African Republic
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Labour Code sets a standard 40-hour workweek, with maximum 48 hours including overtime. These provisions apply to formal employment only, which represents a small fraction of total employment. Enforcement capacity is severely constrained by institutional fragility.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in South Sudan earns 4021% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Central African Republic.
See this comparison from Central African Republic's perspective: Central African Republic vs South Sudan
Compare South Sudan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Sudan or Central African Republic?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In the Central African Republic, it is FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD). Central African Republic has the higher rate by 4021% 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 Central African Republic?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to FCFA75,000/mo ($134.65 USD) in the Central African Republic. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 395% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and Central African Republic is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Central African Republic 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 Central African Republic?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in the Central African Republic can afford more than those in South Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $55 in South Sudan and $141 in the Central African Republic. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 156% 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 Central African Republic?
Both South Sudan and Central African Republic 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.