Key Facts: Burundi vs Tunisia Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Tunisia Minimum Wage
- TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24)
Burundi
Tunisia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Burundi is 90% higher than in Tunisia when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $383/mo in Tunisia, a 19.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Tunisia is 12.2x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $14,521). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Tunisia's 15.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Tunisia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | TND2.31 $0.74 |
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | TND16 $5.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | TND480 $153.35 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | TND5,760 $1,840.26 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | TND1,200 /mo $383.39 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | TND1,020 /mo $325.88 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32 |
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.
- Tunisia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Labour Code allows both 48-hour and 40-hour regimes depending on sector and collective agreements. Most industrial/services workers are on 48 hours. Overtime surcharge: 75% for daytime hours beyond standard. Night and holiday overtime receive higher premiums. The 40-hour regime is increasingly common in services and offices.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Tunisia to Burundi would see a 90% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Tunisia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $35 in Tunisia.
See this comparison from Tunisia's perspective: Tunisia vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Tunisia?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Tunisia, it is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). Burundi has the higher rate by 90% 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 Tunisia 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 Tunisia?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD) in Tunisia. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 1799% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Tunisia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Tunisia 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 Tunisia?
Tunisia 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 Tunisia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Tunisia has the higher GDP per capita at $14,521, which is 12.2x 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.