Key Facts: Burundi vs Qatar Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Qatar Minimum Wage
- QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24)
Burundi
Qatar
Updated 2026-02-25
Burundi, a low-income economy, and Qatar, classified as high-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $3,221/mo in Qatar, a 159.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 105.5x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $126,046). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Qatar's 0.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | QAR5.21 $1.43 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | QAR1,000 $274.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | QAR12,000 $3,296.70 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 |
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.
- Qatar
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 2% less per hour in USD terms than one in Qatar. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Qatar mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $69 in Qatar.
See this comparison from Qatar's perspective: Qatar vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Qatar?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Qatar, it is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). Qatar has the higher rate by 2% 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 Qatar?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD) in Qatar. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 15854% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Qatar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar 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 Qatar?
Qatar 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 Qatar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 105.5x 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.