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Key Facts: Burundi vs Barbados Wages

Burundi Minimum Wage
FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
Barbados Minimum Wage
Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD)
Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
Barbados Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Bds$3,900 /mo ($1,950 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector — Barbados (2026-02-25)

Burundi flag Burundi Barbados flag Barbados

Updated 2026-02-25

Burundi flag Burundi

Minimum Wage

FBu4,160 /mo

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FBu60,000 /mo

Barbados flag Barbados

Minimum Wage

Bds$10.71 /hr

$5.36 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Bds$3,900 /mo

Min wage: -74% Burundi vs Barbados Avg. salary: -99% Burundi vs Barbados

The minimum wage in Burundi is 74% lower than in Barbados in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $1,950/mo in Barbados, a 96.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Barbados is 20.8x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $24,823). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Barbados' 6.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Burundi and Barbados
Metric Burundi Barbados
Minimum wage /hr Bds$10.71 $5.36
Minimum wage /day FBu160 $0.05
Minimum wage /mo FBu4,160 $1.40 Bds$1,855.07 $927.54
Minimum wage /yr Bds$22,260.80 $11,130.40
Avg. gross salary /mo FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 Bds$3,900 /mo $1,950
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo Bds$3,120 /mo $1,560
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr Bds$28,000 /yr $14,000

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

Work Week

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.

Barbados

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). The Shops Act allows up to 48 hours in some retail sectors. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on Sundays and public holidays typically paid at 2x the regular rate.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 283% less per hour in USD terms than one in Barbados.

See this comparison from Barbados's perspective: Barbados vs Burundi

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Barbados?

In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Barbados, it is Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD). Barbados has the higher rate by 283% 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 less does the average worker earn in Burundi compared to Barbados?

The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to Bds$3,900/mo ($1,950 USD) in Barbados. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 9559% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Barbados is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Barbados earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.

How do work hours compare between Burundi and Barbados?

Both Burundi and Barbados 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 Burundi and Barbados?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Barbados has the higher GDP per capita at $24,823, which is 20.8x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Burundi'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.