Key Facts: United Kingdom vs South Sudan Wages
- United Kingdom Minimum Wage
- £12.71/hr ($17.11 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- United Kingdom Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £3,253 /mo ($4,379.96 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- UK Government / Low Pay Commission (2026-06-01), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
United Kingdom 
South Sudan
Updated 2026-06-01
The minimum wage in the United Kingdom is roughly 11 times higher than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,380/mo in the United Kingdom versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 160.9:1 ratio. United Kingdom has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.8% compared to 12.4%.
The United Kingdom's unemployment rate is 4.8% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | United Kingdom | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | £12.71 $17.11 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | £2,203.07 $2,966.30 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | £26,436.80 $35,595.53 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £3,253 /mo $4,379.96 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £2,636 /mo $3,549.21 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | £28,000 /yr $37,700.28 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means United Kingdom is higher.
Work Week
- United Kingdom
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Working Time Regulations limit average to 48 hrs/week (opt-out available). No statutory overtime rate; overtime pay is set by contract.
- 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 moving from South Sudan to the United Kingdom would see a 1022% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs United Kingdom
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Is the minimum wage higher in United Kingdom or South Sudan?
In the United Kingdom, the minimum wage is £12.71/hr ($17.11 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). United Kingdom has the higher rate by 1022% 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 more does the average worker earn in United Kingdom compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in the United Kingdom is £3,253/mo ($4,379.96 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in the United Kingdom earn approximately 15987% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between United Kingdom and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the United Kingdom earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between United Kingdom and South Sudan?
Both United Kingdom and South Sudan 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.