Key Facts: Burundi vs Yemen Wages
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Burundi
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Burundi is roughly 63 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $20/mo in Burundi versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 17.7:1 ratio. Burundi has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.9% compared to 17.3%.
Burundi's unemployment rate is 0.9% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Burundi | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | FBu160 $0.05 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FBu4,160 $1.40 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
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.
- Yemen
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets 48 hours/week. Thursday–Friday is the traditional weekend. Normal labour law enforcement has effectively ceased. Informal employment — petty trade, agriculture, and subsistence activities — dominates the economy.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Burundi earns 6192% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen. Standard work weeks differ: Burundi mandates 40 hours while Yemen mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Burundi are $56 vs $4,227 in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Burundi
Compare Burundi with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Burundi or Yemen?
In Burundi, the minimum wage is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 6192% 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 Yemen?
The average gross salary in Burundi is FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Burundi earn approximately 1666% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Burundi and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Yemen 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 Yemen?
Yemen 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.