Key Facts: Gabon vs Burundi Wages
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Gabon
Burundi
Updated 2026-02-25
Gabon, a upper-middle-income economy, and Burundi, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $996/mo in Gabon versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 49.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Gabon is 18.0x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Gabon has higher GDP per capita ($21,510 vs $1,195). Gabon's unemployment rate is 20.1% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gabon | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FCFA865.38 $1.55 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA150,000 $269.30 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Gabon is higher.
Work Week
- Gabon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime capped at 20 hours/week, permitted only for exceptional, urgent, or seasonal work. Weekday overtime at 125% of normal rate; Sundays/public holidays at 150-200%. Employees entitled to 10 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day of weekly rest (usually Sunday). Governed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).
- 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 Gabon would see a 11% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Gabon
Compare Gabon with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gabon or Burundi?
In Gabon, the minimum wage is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Gabon has the higher rate by 11% 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 Gabon compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Gabon is FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Gabon earn approximately 4836% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gabon and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Gabon earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Gabon and Burundi?
Both Gabon 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 Gabon and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Gabon has the higher GDP per capita at $21,510, which is 18.0x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Gabon'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.