Key Facts: Uganda vs South Sudan Wages
- Uganda Minimum Wage
- UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Uganda
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Uganda is roughly 7 times lower than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $424/mo in Uganda versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 15.6:1 ratio. Uganda has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.8% compared to 12.4%.
Uganda's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uganda | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | UGX750 $0.21 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | UGX130,000 $36.78 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | UGX1,560,000 $441.30 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uganda is higher.
Work Week
- Uganda
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Uganda earns 619% less per hour in USD terms than one in South Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Uganda mandates 48 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Uganda are $10 vs $61 in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Uganda
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uganda or South Sudan?
In Uganda, the minimum wage is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 619% 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 Uganda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Uganda compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Uganda earn approximately 1458% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uganda and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uganda earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Uganda and South Sudan?
Uganda has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in Uganda work 48 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.