Key Facts: Burundi vs Ireland Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Ireland Minimum Wage
- €14.15/hr ($16.48 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Ireland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €4,350 /mo ($5,065.80 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) (2026-03-02)
Burundi
Ireland
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Burundi is roughly 12 times lower than in Ireland 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 $5,066/mo in Ireland, a 250.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Ireland is 111.7x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $133,437). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Ireland's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €14.15 $16.48 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | €2,452.62 $2,856.20 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €29,432 $34,275.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | €4,350 /mo $5,065.80 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €3,100 /mo $3,610.11 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €40,000 /yr $46,582.04 |
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.
- Ireland
-
39 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
There is no single statutory standard workweek; 39 hours is the most common. The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 limits average weekly hours to 48 over a 4-month reference period. There is no statutory overtime rate; overtime pay is determined by employment contract or collective agreement.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 1077% less per hour in USD terms than one in Ireland. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Ireland mandates 39 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $643 in Ireland.
See this comparison from Ireland's perspective: Ireland vs Burundi
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Ireland?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Ireland, it is €14.15/hr ($16.48 USD). Ireland has the higher rate by 1077% 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 Ireland?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to €4,350/mo ($5,065.80 USD) in Ireland. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 24993% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Ireland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ireland 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 Ireland?
Burundi has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 39 hours in Ireland. Workers in Burundi work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ireland 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 Ireland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Ireland has the higher GDP per capita at $133,437, which is 111.7x 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.