Key Facts: Burundi vs Bolivia Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Bolivia Minimum Wage
- Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social; 2024 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-05-01) (2026-05-04)
Burundi
Bolivia
Updated 2026-05-04
Burundi, a low-income economy, and Bolivia, classified as lower-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $608/mo in Bolivia, a 30.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bolivia is 10.8x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $12,878). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Bolivia's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Bolivia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Bs13.02 $1.88 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | Bs83.33 $12.06 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | Bs2,500 $361.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Bs32,500 $4,703.33 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | Bs4,200 /mo $607.81 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Bs3,780 /mo $547.03 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90 |
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.
- Bolivia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
General Labour Law (Ley General del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 40 hours for night work, and 44 for mixed shifts. Overtime is paid at 100% surcharge (double pay). Sunday is the mandatory rest day.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 35% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bolivia. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Bolivia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $90 in Bolivia.
See this comparison from Bolivia's perspective: Bolivia vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Bolivia?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Bolivia, it is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). Bolivia has the higher rate by 35% 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 Bolivia?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD) in Bolivia. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 2911% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Bolivia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bolivia 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 Bolivia?
Bolivia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in Burundi work 40 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 Burundi and Bolivia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bolivia has the higher GDP per capita at $12,878, which is 10.8x 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.