Key Facts: South Sudan vs Democratic Republic of the Congo Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FC884/hr ($0.31 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FC400,000 /mo ($142.35 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / DRC Ministry of Labour / World Bank (2026-02-25)
South Sudan 
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in South Sudan is 385% higher than in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $27/mo in South Sudan versus $142/mo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a 5.2:1 ratio. Democratic Republic of the Congo has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.4% compared to 12.4%.
South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 4.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FC884 $0.31 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FC7,075 $2.52 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | FC184,950 $65.82 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | FC400,000 /mo $142.35 |
| 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.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 015-2002) sets standard hours at 9 hours/day for a 5-day week or 7.5 hours/day for a 6-day week, totaling 45 hours/week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% (day), 150% (night), 200% (Sundays and public holidays). These rules apply only to formal employment. The country observes 6 national public holidays.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to South Sudan would see a 385% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: South Sudan mandates 40 hours while the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in South Sudan are $61 vs $14 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
See this comparison from Democratic Republic of the Congo's perspective: Democratic Republic of the Congo vs South Sudan
Compare South Sudan with...
South Sudan vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
South Sudan vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
South Sudan vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
South Sudan vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
South Sudan vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
South Sudan vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
South Sudan vs France € 12.02 /hr 
South Sudan vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
South Sudan vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
South Sudan vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
South Sudan vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
South Sudan vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
South Sudan vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
South Sudan vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
South Sudan vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
South Sudan vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
South Sudan vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
South Sudan vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
South Sudan vs Switzerland 
South Sudan vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
South Sudan vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
South Sudan vs Sweden 
South Sudan vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
South Sudan vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Sudan or Democratic Republic of the Congo?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is FC884/hr ($0.31 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 385% 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to FC400,000/mo ($142.35 USD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 423% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Democratic Republic of the Congo has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in South Sudan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in South Sudan working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.