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Key Facts: Burundi vs Chile Wages

Burundi Minimum Wage
FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
Chile Minimum Wage
CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27)

Burundi flag Burundi Chile flag Chile

Updated 2026-05-27

Burundi flag Burundi

Minimum Wage

FBu4,160 /mo

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FBu60,000 /mo

Chile flag Chile

Minimum Wage

CLP2,994 /hr

$3.26 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CLP750,000 /mo

Min wage: -57% Burundi vs Chile Avg. salary: -98% Burundi vs Chile

The minimum wage in Burundi is 57% lower than in Chile in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $817/mo in Chile, a 40.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Chile is 30.3x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $36,181). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Chile's 9.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Burundi and Chile
Metric Burundi Chile
Minimum wage /hr CLP2,994 $3.26
Minimum wage /day FBu160 $0.05
Minimum wage /mo FBu4,160 $1.40 CLP539,000 $587.15
Minimum wage /yr CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90
Avg. gross salary /mo FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 CLP750,000 /mo $816.99
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo CLP622,500 /mo $678.10
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95

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.

Chile

43 hrs/wk standard

Max 43 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 133% less per hour in USD terms than one in Chile. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Chile mandates 43 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $140 in Chile.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Chile?

In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Chile, it is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). Chile has the higher rate by 133% 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 Chile?

The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD) in Chile. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 3947% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Chile is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Chile 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 Chile?

Chile has a longer standard work week at 43 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 Chile?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chile has the higher GDP per capita at $36,181, which is 30.3x 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.