Key Facts: Burundi vs Djibouti Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25)
Burundi
Djibouti
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Burundi is roughly 141 times lower than in Djibouti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $675/mo in Djibouti, a 33.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Djibouti is 6.5x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Burundi's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Burundi's minimum wage buys less than Djibouti's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Burundi is $5 international dollars, compared to $433 in Djibouti. Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $7,810). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Djibouti's 26.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Djibouti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | Fdj1,400 $7.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | Fdj35,000 $196.94 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 |
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.
- Djibouti
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Arabic and French are official languages. The labour force is supplemented by a large number of migrant workers from Ethiopia and Somalia.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 13970% less per hour in USD terms than one in Djibouti.
See this comparison from Djibouti's perspective: Djibouti vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Djibouti?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Djibouti, it is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 13970% 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 Djibouti?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD) in Djibouti. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 3245% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Djibouti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Djibouti earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Burundi or Djibouti?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Djibouti can afford more than those in Burundi. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Burundi and $433 in Djibouti. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 9016% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Burundi appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Burundi and Djibouti?
Both Burundi and Djibouti 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 Djibouti?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Djibouti has the higher GDP per capita at $7,810, which is 6.5x 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.