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Key Facts: Burkina Faso vs Iceland Wages

Burkina Faso Minimum Wage
CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD)
Iceland Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Burkina Faso Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CFA89,000 /mo ($159.78 USD)
Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
Data Sources
Ministere du Travail (Ministry of Labour) / Decree No. 2023-1450 (2026-02-25), Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24)

Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso Iceland flag Iceland

Updated 2026-02-25

Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso

Minimum Wage

CFA259.62 /hr

$0.47 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA89,000 /mo

Iceland flag Iceland

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr800,000 /mo

Avg. salary: -98% Burkina Faso vs Iceland

Unlike Iceland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Burkina Faso mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $160/mo in Burkina Faso versus $6,479/mo in Iceland, a 40.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 29.1x that of Burkina Faso, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Burkina Faso has lower GDP per capita ($2,896 vs $84,257). Burkina Faso's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Iceland's 3.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Burkina Faso and Iceland
Metric Burkina Faso Iceland
Minimum wage /hr CFA259.62 $0.47 None
Minimum wage /mo CFA45,000 $80.79 None
Minimum wage /yr CFA540,000 $969.48 None
Avg. gross salary /mo CFA89,000 /mo $159.78 kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78
Avg. net salary /mo CFA75,000 /mo $134.65 kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15
Median individual income /yr CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12

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

Work Week

Burkina Faso

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.15x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday). First 8 overtime hours paid at 115% of normal rate; subsequent hours at 135%. Nighttime overtime earns 150% premium. Work on Sundays/public holidays at 160% (nighttime: 220%).

Iceland

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.8x pay

Standard working week is 40 hours (set by collective agreements). The Act on Working Environment and Health sets maximum average of 48 hours/week per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime premiums are set by collective agreements, typically 80% premium (1.8x) for daytime overtime, higher for evenings/weekends. A landmark 2021 agreement reduced standard hours from 40 to 36 for many public sector workers, with the private sector gradually following.

See this comparison from Iceland's perspective: Iceland vs Burkina Faso

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Burkina Faso or Iceland?

In Burkina Faso, the minimum wage is CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD). In Iceland, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Burkina Faso compared to Iceland?

The average gross salary in Burkina Faso is CFA89,000/mo ($159.78 USD), compared to kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD) in Iceland. In USD terms, workers in Burkina Faso earn approximately 3955% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burkina Faso and Iceland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iceland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burkina Faso.

How do work hours compare between Burkina Faso and Iceland?

Both Burkina Faso and Iceland 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.

What is the cost of living difference between Burkina Faso and Iceland?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iceland has the higher GDP per capita at $84,257, which is 29.1x that of Burkina Faso at $2,896. From Burkina Faso's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.