Key Facts: Sudan vs Somalia Wages
- Sudan Minimum Wage
- ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
Sudan
Somalia
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Sudan mandates a wage floor of $50/mo. Average salaries are lower in Sudan at $140/mo compared to $263/mo in Somalia. Sudan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 7.5% compared to 18.9%.
Sudan has higher GDP per capita ($2,116 vs $1,602). Sudan's unemployment rate is 7.5% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sudan | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ج.س.30,000 $49.59 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Sudan is higher.
Work Week
- Sudan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act of 2017 sets standard hours at 8 per day / 40 per week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day (Islamic calendar). These provisions apply to formal employment only and enforcement has been severely disrupted by the 2023 conflict.
- Somalia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Sudan mandates 40 hours while Somalia mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Sudan
Compare Sudan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sudan or Somalia?
In Sudan, the minimum wage is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Sudan compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in Sudan is ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Sudan earn approximately 87% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sudan and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Somalia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Sudan and Somalia?
Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sudan. Workers in Sudan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Sudan and Somalia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Sudan has the higher GDP per capita at $2,116, which is 1.3x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Sudan's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.