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Key Facts: Zambia vs Sudan Wages

Zambia Minimum Wage
ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD)
Sudan Minimum Wage
ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
Zambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
ZK7,000 /mo ($369.20 USD)
Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour and Social Security / Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)

Zambia flag Zambia Sudan flag Sudan

Updated 2026-02-25

Zambia flag Zambia

Minimum Wage

ZK6.25 /hr

$0.33 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ZK7,000 /mo

Sudan flag Sudan

Minimum Wage

ج.س.30,000 /mo

$49.59 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ج.س.85,000 /mo

Min wage: -99% Zambia vs Sudan Avg. salary: +163% Zambia vs Sudan

The minimum wage in Zambia is roughly 150 times lower than in Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $369/mo in Zambia versus $140/mo in Sudan, a 2.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Zambia is 2.0x that of Sudan, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Zambia has higher GDP per capita ($4,215 vs $2,116). Zambia's unemployment rate is 5.9% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Zambia and Sudan
Metric Zambia Sudan
Minimum wage /hr ZK6.25 $0.33
Minimum wage /mo ZK1,300 $68.57 ج.س.30,000 $49.59
Minimum wage /yr ZK15,600 $822.78
Avg. gross salary /mo ZK7,000 /mo $369.20 ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50
Avg. net salary /mo ZK5,800 /mo $305.91 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr ZK28,000 /yr $1,476.79 N/A/yr

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Zambia is higher.

Work Week

Zambia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on Sundays and public holidays. Governed by the Employment Code Act, 2019.

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.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Zambia earns 14943% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Zambia mandates 48 hours while Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Zambia are $16 vs $1,983 in Sudan.

See this comparison from Sudan's perspective: Sudan vs Zambia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Zambia or Sudan?

In Zambia, the minimum wage is ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Sudan has the higher rate by 14943% 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 Zambia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Zambia compared to Sudan?

The average gross salary in Zambia is ZK7,000/mo ($369.20 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Zambia earn approximately 163% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zambia and Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Zambia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sudan.

How do work hours compare between Zambia and Sudan?

Zambia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sudan. Workers in Zambia work 48 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 Zambia and Sudan?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Zambia has the higher GDP per capita at $4,215, which is 2.0x that of Sudan at $2,116. From Zambia'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.