Key Facts: Brazil vs Burundi Wages
- Brazil Minimum Wage
- R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Brazil Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R$3,200 /mo ($636.88 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment (2026-03-02), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Brazil
Burundi
Updated 2026-03-02
Brazil, a upper-middle-income economy, and Burundi, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $637/mo in Brazil versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 31.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Brazil is 18.7x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Brazil has higher GDP per capita ($22,338 vs $1,195). Brazil's unemployment rate is 6.0% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Brazil | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | R$7.37 $1.47 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | R$54.04 $10.76 | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | R$1,621 $322.62 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | R$21,073 $4,194.05 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | R$3,200 /mo $636.88 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | R$2,700 /mo $537.37 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | R$22,800 /yr $4,537.76 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Brazil is higher.
Work Week
- Brazil
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
- Burundi
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week as the standard. The Code du Travail is French-language, reflecting Belgian colonial heritage. Overtime capped at 45 hours total. Enforcement is minimal outside the formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Burundi to Brazil would see a 5% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Brazil mandates 44 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Brazil are $65 vs $56 in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Brazil
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Brazil or Burundi?
In Brazil, the minimum wage is R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Brazil has the higher rate by 5% 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 Burundi may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Brazil compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Brazil is R$3,200/mo ($636.88 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Brazil earn approximately 3055% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Brazil and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brazil earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Brazil and Burundi?
Brazil has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in Brazil work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Burundi 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 Brazil and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Brazil has the higher GDP per capita at $22,338, which is 18.7x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Brazil'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.