Key Facts: Zimbabwe vs South Sudan Wages
- Zimbabwe Minimum Wage
- $0.87/hr
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Zimbabwe Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $253 /mo ($253 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare — Zimbabwe (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Zimbabwe
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Zimbabwe is 43% lower than in South Sudan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $253/mo in Zimbabwe versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 9.3:1 ratio. Zimbabwe has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 9.3% compared to 12.4%.
Zimbabwe's unemployment rate is 9.3% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Zimbabwe | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.87 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $150 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,800 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $253 /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $220 /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,200 /yr | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Zimbabwe is higher.
Work Week
- Zimbabwe
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week). Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 150% of normal rate. Sunday and public holiday work at 200%.
- 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 Zimbabwe earns 75% less per hour in USD terms than one in South Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Zimbabwe mandates 45 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Zimbabwe are $39 vs $61 in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Zimbabwe
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Zimbabwe or South Sudan?
In Zimbabwe, the minimum wage is $0.87/hr. In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 75% 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 Zimbabwe may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Zimbabwe compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Zimbabwe is $253/mo, compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Zimbabwe earn approximately 829% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zimbabwe and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Zimbabwe earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Zimbabwe and South Sudan?
Zimbabwe has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in Zimbabwe work 45 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.