Key Facts: Burundi vs Brazil Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Brazil Minimum Wage
- R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Brazil Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R$3,200 /mo ($636.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment (2026-03-02)
Burundi
Brazil
Updated 2026-03-02
Burundi, a low-income economy, and Brazil, classified as upper-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $637/mo in Brazil, a 31.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Brazil is 18.7x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $22,338). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Brazil's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | R$7.37 $1.47 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | R$54.04 $10.76 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | R$1,621 $322.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | R$21,073 $4,194.05 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | R$3,200 /mo $636.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | R$2,700 /mo $537.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | R$22,800 /yr $4,537.76 |
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.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 5% less per hour in USD terms than one in Brazil. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Brazil mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $65 in Brazil.
See this comparison from Brazil's perspective: Brazil vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Brazil?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Brazil, it is R$7.37/hr ($1.47 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 less does the average worker earn in Burundi compared to Brazil?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to R$3,200/mo ($636.88 USD) in Brazil. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 3055% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Brazil 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 Burundi and Brazil?
Brazil has a longer standard work week at 44 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 Brazil?
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 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.