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Key Facts: Burundi vs Iran Wages

Burundi Minimum Wage
FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
Iran Minimum Wage
﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)

Burundi flag Burundi Iran flag Iran

Updated 2026-05-04

Burundi flag Burundi

Minimum Wage

FBu4,160 /mo

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FBu60,000 /mo

Iran flag Iran

Minimum Wage

﷼692,731 /hr

$1.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

﷼400,000,000 /mo

Min wage: +37% Burundi vs Iran Avg. salary: -97% Burundi vs Iran

Burundi, a low-income economy, and Iran, classified as lower-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $588/mo in Iran, a 29.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is 16.6x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $19,874). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Iran's 8.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Burundi and Iran
Metric Burundi Iran
Minimum wage /hr ﷼692,731 $1.02
Minimum wage /day FBu160 $0.05 ﷼5,541,850 $8.15
Minimum wage /mo FBu4,160 $1.40 ﷼166,255,500 $244.49
Minimum wage /yr ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92
Avg. gross salary /mo FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65

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.

Iran

44 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.4x pay

Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Iran to Burundi would see a 37% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $45 in Iran.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Iran?

In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). Burundi has the higher rate by 37% 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 Iran 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 Iran?

The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 2814% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iran 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 Iran?

Iran has a longer standard work week at 44 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 Iran?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iran has the higher GDP per capita at $19,874, which is 16.6x 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.