Key Facts: South Sudan vs Estonia Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Estonia Minimum Wage
- €5.67/hr ($6.60 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Estonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,950 /mo ($2,270.87 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), Government of Estonia; 2026 figure per Riigi Teataja Government Regulation (töötasu alammäär) eff 2026-04-01 (2026-05-27)
South Sudan
Estonia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in South Sudan is 77% lower than in Estonia in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $27/mo in South Sudan versus $2,271/mo in Estonia, a 83.4:1 ratio. Estonia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 8.3% compared to 12.4%.
South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to Estonia's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | Estonia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €5.67 $6.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | €946 $1,101.67 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €11,352 $13,219.98 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | €1,950 /mo $2,270.87 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 | €1,560 /mo $1,816.70 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €14,400 /yr $16,769.54 |
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.
- Estonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime must be compensated at 1.5x rate or with equivalent time off. Annual overtime limit varies by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in South Sudan earns 333% less per hour in USD terms than one in Estonia.
See this comparison from Estonia's perspective: Estonia vs South Sudan
Compare South Sudan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Sudan or Estonia?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In Estonia, it is €5.67/hr ($6.60 USD). Estonia has the higher rate by 333% 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 Estonia?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to €1,950/mo ($2,270.87 USD) in Estonia. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 8240% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and Estonia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Estonia 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 Estonia?
Both South Sudan and Estonia 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.