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Key Facts: Burundi vs Germany Wages

Burundi Minimum Wage
FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
Germany Minimum Wage
€13.90/hr ($16.19 USD)
Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
Germany Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€4,784 /mo ($5,571.21 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS), 2026 (2026-05-24)

Burundi flag Burundi Germany flag Germany

Updated 2026-05-24

Burundi flag Burundi

Minimum Wage

FBu4,160 /mo

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FBu60,000 /mo

Germany flag Germany

Minimum Wage

€13.90 /hr

$16.19 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

€4,784 /mo

Min wage: -91% Burundi vs Germany Avg. salary: -100% Burundi vs Germany

The minimum wage in Burundi is roughly 12 times lower than in Germany 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 $5,571/mo in Germany, a 276.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Germany is 61.6x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $73,552). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Germany's 3.7%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Burundi and Germany
Metric Burundi Germany
Minimum wage /hr €13.90 $16.19
Minimum wage /day FBu160 $0.05
Minimum wage /mo FBu4,160 $1.40 €2,408.67 $2,805.02
Minimum wage /yr €28,904 $33,660.18
Avg. gross salary /mo FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 €4,784 /mo $5,571.21
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo €3,000 /mo $3,493.65

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.

Germany

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Arbeitszeitgesetz limits working time to 8 hrs/day (extendable to 10 hrs if averaged over 6 months). Overtime compensation set by contract or collective agreement.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 1056% less per hour in USD terms than one in Germany.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Germany?

In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Germany, it is €13.90/hr ($16.19 USD). Germany has the higher rate by 1056% 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 Germany?

The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to €4,784/mo ($5,571.21 USD) in Germany. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 27496% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Germany is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Germany 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 Germany?

Both Burundi and Germany 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 Germany?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Germany has the higher GDP per capita at $73,552, which is 61.6x 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.