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Key Facts: Burundi vs Portugal Wages

Burundi Minimum Wage
FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
Portugal Minimum Wage
€5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
Portugal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€1,550 /mo ($1,805.05 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Government of Portugal (Governo de Portugal); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)

Burundi flag Burundi Portugal flag Portugal

Updated 2026-05-04

Burundi flag Burundi

Minimum Wage

FBu4,160 /mo

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FBu60,000 /mo

Portugal flag Portugal

Minimum Wage

€5.31 /hr

$6.18 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

€1,550 /mo

Min wage: -77% Burundi vs Portugal Avg. salary: -99% Burundi vs Portugal

The minimum wage in Burundi is 77% lower than in Portugal in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $1,805/mo in Portugal, a 89.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Portugal is 43.2x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $51,680). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Portugal's 6.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Burundi and Portugal
Metric Burundi Portugal
Minimum wage /hr €5.31 $6.18
Minimum wage /day FBu160 $0.05
Minimum wage /mo FBu4,160 $1.40 €920 $1,071.39
Minimum wage /yr €12,880 $14,999.42
Avg. gross salary /mo FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 €1,550 /mo $1,805.05
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo €1,150 /mo $1,339.23
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr €14,000 /yr $16,303.71

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.

Portugal

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (Labour Code). The first hour of overtime on a working day is paid at 125%, subsequent hours at 137.5%. Overtime on rest days and public holidays is paid at 150%. Maximum 150 hours of overtime per year (can be increased to 200 by collective agreement). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 342% less per hour in USD terms than one in Portugal.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Portugal?

In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Portugal, it is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). Portugal has the higher rate by 342% 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 Portugal?

The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to €1,550/mo ($1,805.05 USD) in Portugal. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 8841% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Portugal is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Portugal 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 Portugal?

Both Burundi and Portugal mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.

What is the cost of living difference between Burundi and Portugal?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Portugal has the higher GDP per capita at $51,680, which is 43.2x 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.