Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Burundi Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Equatorial Guinea
Burundi
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 166 times higher than in Burundi in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $628/mo in Equatorial Guinea versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 31.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Equatorial Guinea is 14.7x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Equatorial Guinea's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Equatorial Guinea's minimum wage buys more than Burundi's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Equatorial Guinea is $554 international dollars, compared to $5 in Burundi. Equatorial Guinea has higher GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $1,195). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Equatorial Guinea is higher.
Work Week
- Equatorial Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Spanish-heritage) sets 40 hours/week standard, 48 hours maximum including overtime. Oil sector may have different contractual arrangements. Spanish and French are official languages.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Burundi to Equatorial Guinea would see a 16450% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Burundi?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 16450% 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 Equatorial Guinea compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 3013% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Equatorial Guinea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Equatorial Guinea or Burundi?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Equatorial Guinea can afford more than those in Burundi. The PPP-adjusted rate is $554 in Equatorial Guinea and $5 in Burundi. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 11569% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Burundi appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Equatorial Guinea and Burundi?
Both Equatorial Guinea and Burundi mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Equatorial Guinea and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Equatorial Guinea has the higher GDP per capita at $17,567, which is 14.7x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Equatorial Guinea'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.