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Key Facts: Burkina Faso vs Syria Wages

Burkina Faso Minimum Wage
CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD)
Syria Minimum Wage
£S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
Burkina Faso Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CFA89,000 /mo ($159.78 USD)
Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
£S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
Data Sources
Ministere du Travail (Ministry of Labour) / Decree No. 2023-1450 (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)

Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso Syria flag Syria

Updated 2026-02-25

Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso

Minimum Wage

CFA259.62 /hr

$0.47 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA89,000 /mo

Syria flag Syria

Minimum Wage

£S1,850 /mo

$16.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£S13,500 /mo

Min wage: -97% Burkina Faso vs Syria Avg. salary: +33% Burkina Faso vs Syria

The minimum wage in Burkina Faso is roughly 35 times lower than in Syria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Burkina Faso at $160/mo compared to $120/mo in Syria. GDP per capita (PPP) in Syria is 1.6x that of Burkina Faso, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Burkina Faso has lower GDP per capita ($2,896 vs $4,772). Burkina Faso's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Syria's 13.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Burkina Faso and Syria
Metric Burkina Faso Syria
Minimum wage /hr CFA259.62 $0.47
Minimum wage /mo CFA45,000 $80.79 £S1,850 $16.46
Minimum wage /yr CFA540,000 $969.48
Avg. gross salary /mo CFA89,000 /mo $159.78 £S13,500 /mo $120.13
Avg. net salary /mo CFA75,000 /mo $134.65 £S12,000 /mo $106.78
Median individual income /yr CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 N/A/yr

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%).

Syria

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law No. 17 of 2010 set 48 hours/week as the standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Enforcement is impossible across most of the country due to conflict. Government employees in Damascus and other major cities are the primary remaining formal workforce.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Burkina Faso earns 3432% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: Burkina Faso mandates 40 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burkina Faso are $19 vs $790 in Syria.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Burkina Faso or Syria?

In Burkina Faso, the minimum wage is CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 3432% 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 Burkina Faso may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Burkina Faso compared to Syria?

The average gross salary in Burkina Faso is CFA89,000/mo ($159.78 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Burkina Faso earn approximately 33% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burkina Faso and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Burkina Faso earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.

How do work hours compare between Burkina Faso and Syria?

Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burkina Faso. Workers in Burkina Faso work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Burkina Faso 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 Burkina Faso and Syria?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Syria has the higher GDP per capita at $4,772, which is 1.6x 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.