Key Facts: Chile vs Burundi Wages
- Chile Minimum Wage
- CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Chile
Burundi
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Chile is 133% higher than in Burundi when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $817/mo in Chile versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 40.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Chile is 30.3x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Chile has higher GDP per capita ($36,181 vs $1,195). Chile's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chile | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CLP2,994 $3.26 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CLP539,000 $587.15 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CLP750,000 /mo $816.99 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CLP622,500 /mo $678.10 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Chile is higher.
Work Week
- Chile
-
43 hrs/wk standard
Max 43 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Burundi to Chile would see a 133% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Chile mandates 43 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Chile are $140 vs $56 in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Chile
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Chile or Burundi?
In Chile, the minimum wage is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Chile has the higher rate by 133% 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 more does the average worker earn in Chile compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Chile is CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Chile earn approximately 3947% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Chile and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Chile earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Chile and Burundi?
Chile has a longer standard work week at 43 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in Chile work 43 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 Chile and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chile has the higher GDP per capita at $36,181, which is 30.3x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Chile's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.