Key Facts: Yemen vs South Sudan Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Yemen
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Yemen is roughly 58 times higher than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $356/mo in Yemen versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 13.1:1 ratio. South Sudan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 12.4% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Yemen is higher.
Work Week
- Yemen
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets 48 hours/week. Thursday–Friday is the traditional weekend. Normal labour law enforcement has effectively ceased. Informal employment — petty trade, agriculture, and subsistence activities — dominates the economy.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from South Sudan to Yemen would see a 5676% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Yemen mandates 48 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Yemen are $4,227 vs $61 in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Yemen
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or South Sudan?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 5676% 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 Yemen compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 1209% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Yemen earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Yemen and South Sudan?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in Yemen 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.