Key Facts: South Sudan vs India Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- India Minimum Wage
- ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Employment. Central VDA April 2026 update verified via clc.gov.in/clc/min-wages: CPI rose 11.28 points triggering increase in centrally-regulated minimum wages (covers construction, sweeping/cleaning, watch & ward, and other Central Sphere employments). Note: Central VDA does NOT replace state minimum wages — most workers are subject to state-set rates which vary by state and update on different cycles. (2026-05-04)
South Sudan 
India
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in South Sudan is roughly 32 times lower than in India 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 $336/mo in India, a 12.3:1 ratio. India has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.2% compared to 12.4%.
From South Sudan's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, South Sudan's minimum wage buys less than India's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in South Sudan is $55 international dollars, compared to $224 in India. South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to India's 4.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | India |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₹176 $1.85 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | ₹4,576 $48.17 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₹54,912 $578.08 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 | ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 |
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.
- India
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in South Sudan earns 3059% less per hour in USD terms than one in India. Standard work weeks differ: South Sudan mandates 40 hours while India mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in South Sudan are $61 vs $2,312 in India.
See this comparison from India's perspective: India vs South Sudan
Compare South Sudan with...
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South Sudan vs France € 12.02 /hr 
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South Sudan vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
South Sudan vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
South Sudan vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
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South Sudan vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
South Sudan vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
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South Sudan vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Sudan or India?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In India, it is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). India has the higher rate by 3059% 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 India?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD) in India. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 1133% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and India is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in India 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 India?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in India can afford more than those in South Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $55 in South Sudan and $224 in India. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 306% 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 India?
India has a longer standard work week at 48 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.