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Key Facts: Burundi vs Turkey Wages

Burundi Minimum Wage
FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
Turkey Minimum Wage
₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD)
Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
Turkey Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₺25,482 /mo ($555.24 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı); 2026 figure announced by Minister Vedat Işıkhan, verified via Daily Sabah (dailysabah.com) (2026-05-04)

Burundi flag Burundi Turkey flag Turkey

Updated 2026-05-04

Burundi flag Burundi

Minimum Wage

FBu4,160 /mo

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FBu60,000 /mo

Turkey flag Turkey

Minimum Wage

₺164.94 /hr

$3.59 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₺25,482 /mo

Min wage: -61% Burundi vs Turkey Avg. salary: -96% Burundi vs Turkey

The minimum wage in Burundi is 61% lower than in Turkey in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $555/mo in Turkey, a 27.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkey is 38.2x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Burundi has lower GDP per capita ($1,195 vs $45,639). Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Turkey's 8.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Burundi and Turkey
Metric Burundi Turkey
Minimum wage /hr ₺164.94 $3.59
Minimum wage /day FBu160 $0.05
Minimum wage /mo FBu4,160 $1.40 ₺33,030 $719.70
Minimum wage /yr ₺396,360 $8,636.42
Avg. gross salary /mo FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 ₺25,482 /mo $555.24
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo ₺20,021 /mo $436.24

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.

Turkey

45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 45 hours under the Labour Act (No. 4857). Can be distributed unevenly across days of the week, but no more than 11 hours/day. Overtime is limited to 270 hours/year. Overtime premium is 50%; weekend/holiday work is at 100% premium if the worker does not get a substitute rest day.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 157% less per hour in USD terms than one in Turkey. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Turkey mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $162 in Turkey.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Turkey?

In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Turkey, it is ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD). Turkey has the higher rate by 157% 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 Turkey?

The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to ₺25,482/mo ($555.24 USD) in Turkey. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 2650% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Turkey is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkey 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 Turkey?

Turkey has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Turkey?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkey has the higher GDP per capita at $45,639, which is 38.2x 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.