Key Facts: South Sudan vs Jamaica Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Jamaica Minimum Wage
- J$325/hr ($2.07 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Jamaica Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- J$160,000 /mo ($1,019.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Security — Jamaica (2026-02-24)
South Sudan 
Jamaica
Updated 2026-02-25
South Sudan, a low-income economy, and Jamaica, classified as upper-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $27/mo in South Sudan versus $1,019/mo in Jamaica, a 37.4:1 ratio. Jamaica has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 12.4%.
South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to Jamaica's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | J$325 $2.07 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | J$2,600 $16.56 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | J$56,333 $358.81 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | J$676,000 $4,305.73 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | J$160,000 /mo $1,019.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 | J$128,000 /mo $815.29 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | J$960,000 /yr $6,114.65 |
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.
- Jamaica
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). The Minimum Wage Order defines the reference workweek at 40 hours. Overtime is generally paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Some sectors (e.g., hotels, security) may have different arrangements.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in South Sudan earns 36% less per hour in USD terms than one in Jamaica.
See this comparison from Jamaica's perspective: Jamaica 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 Jamaica?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In Jamaica, it is J$325/hr ($2.07 USD). Jamaica has the higher rate by 36% 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 Jamaica?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to J$160,000/mo ($1,019.11 USD) in Jamaica. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 3643% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and Jamaica is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Jamaica 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 Jamaica?
Both South Sudan and Jamaica 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.