Key Facts: Burundi vs Hungary Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Hungary Minimum Wage
- Ft1,862/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Hungary Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ft705,000 /mo ($2,314.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Government of Hungary; 2026 rate verified via Wikipedia EU minimum-wage table citing Reuters (4 December 2025) (2026-05-04)
Burundi
Hungary
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Burundi is 77% lower than in Hungary in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $2,314/mo in Hungary, a 114.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Hungary is 40.6x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $48,552). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Hungary's 4.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Hungary |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Ft1,862 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | Ft322,800 $1,059.58 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Ft3,873,600 $12,714.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | Ft705,000 /mo $2,314.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Ft469,621 /mo $1,541.51 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Ft6,900,000 /yr $22,648.94 |
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.
- Hungary
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Daily limit of 12 hours with overtime. Overtime premium is 50%, or 100% on rest days and public holidays. Annual overtime limit of 250 hours (extendable to 300 by collective agreement, or 400 under voluntary overtime framework).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 337% less per hour in USD terms than one in Hungary.
See this comparison from Hungary's perspective: Hungary vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Hungary?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Hungary, it is Ft1,862/hr ($6.11 USD). Hungary has the higher rate by 337% 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 Hungary?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to Ft705,000/mo ($2,314.13 USD) in Hungary. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 11363% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Hungary is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Hungary 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 Hungary?
Both Burundi and Hungary 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 Hungary?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Hungary has the higher GDP per capita at $48,552, which is 40.6x 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.