Key Facts: Burundi vs Morocco Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Inclusion Économique, de la Petite Entreprise, de l'Emploi et des Compétences (miepeec.gov.ma); 2026 SMIG/SMAG figures verified (second stage of two-stage 10% increase agreed in April 2024 social dialogue) (2026-05-04)
Burundi
Morocco
Updated 2026-05-04
Burundi, a low-income economy, and Morocco, classified as lower-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $613/mo in Morocco, a 30.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Morocco is 8.7x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $10,415). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Morocco's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | MAD17.92 $1.83 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 |
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.
- Morocco
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 44 hours/week for non-agricultural sectors (2,288 hrs/year) and 48 hours/week for agriculture (2,496 hrs/year). Overtime: 25% premium for daytime hours, 50% for nighttime. On rest days/holidays: 50% daytime, 100% nighttime.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 31% less per hour in USD terms than one in Morocco. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Morocco mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $81 in Morocco.
See this comparison from Morocco's perspective: Morocco vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Morocco?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Morocco, it is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). Morocco has the higher rate by 31% 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 Morocco?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD) in Morocco. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 2939% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Morocco is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Morocco 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 Morocco?
Morocco 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 Morocco?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Morocco has the higher GDP per capita at $10,415, which is 8.7x 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.