Key Facts: Burundi vs Norway Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Burundi
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Burundi mandates a wage floor of $1/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 294.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 85.4x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $102,038). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
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.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Norway?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Burundi compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 29389% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway 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 Norway?
Burundi has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Burundi work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 85.4x 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.