Key Facts: Burundi vs Canada Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Canada Minimum Wage
- C$18.10/hr ($13.09 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Canada Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- C$5,708 /mo ($4,127.26 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Government of Canada - Labour Program (2026-05-28)
Burundi
Canada
Updated 2026-05-28
The minimum wage in Burundi is roughly 9 times lower than in Canada in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $4,127/mo in Canada, a 204.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Canada is 54.1x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $64,610). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Canada's 6.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | C$18.10 $13.09 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | C$3,137.33 $2,268.50 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | C$37,648 $27,221.98 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | C$5,708 /mo $4,127.26 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | C$4,334 /mo $3,133.77 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | C$44,000 /yr $31,814.90 |
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.
- Canada
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Federal standard is 40 hours/week with overtime after 40 hours at 1.5x. Maximum 48 hours/week unless authorized. Provincial rules vary (e.g., Ontario overtime after 44 hrs).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 835% less per hour in USD terms than one in Canada.
See this comparison from Canada's perspective: Canada vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Canada?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Canada, it is C$18.10/hr ($13.09 USD). Canada has the higher rate by 835% 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 Canada?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to C$5,708/mo ($4,127.26 USD) in Canada. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 20344% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Canada is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Canada 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 Canada?
Both Burundi and Canada 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 Canada?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Canada has the higher GDP per capita at $64,610, which is 54.1x 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.