Key Facts: Burundi vs Pakistan Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Pakistan Minimum Wage
- ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Pakistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨39,042 /mo ($140.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development; FY2025-26 federal budget confirmed minimum wage UNCHANGED at PKR 37,000/month (no increase despite high inflation; Federal Government Grade 1-16 employees received separate 10% pay rise that does not affect minimum wage). Verified via Brecorder (brecorder.com/news/minimum-wage-to-remain-unchanged-at-rs37000-in-fy26). (2026-05-04)
Burundi
Pakistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Burundi is 144% higher than in Pakistan when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $140/mo in Pakistan, a 6.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Pakistan is 5.2x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $6,252). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Pakistan's 5.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₨160 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | ₨37,000 $132.85 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₨444,000 $1,594.25 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | ₨39,042 /mo $140.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₨35,138 /mo $126.17 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₨403,200 /yr $1,447.76 |
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.
- Pakistan
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act 1934 sets standard at 48 hours/week (9 hrs/day). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. Shops and Establishments ordinances vary by province.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Pakistan to Burundi would see a 144% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Pakistan mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $28 in Pakistan.
See this comparison from Pakistan's perspective: Pakistan vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Pakistan?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Pakistan, it is ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD). Burundi has the higher rate by 144% 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 Pakistan 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 Pakistan?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to ₨39,042/mo ($140.19 USD) in Pakistan. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 594% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Pakistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Pakistan 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 Pakistan?
Pakistan has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Pakistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Pakistan has the higher GDP per capita at $6,252, which is 5.2x 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.