Key Facts: Ghana vs Burundi Wages
- Ghana Minimum Wage
- GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Ghana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- GH₵3,500 /mo ($235.69 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) / Ministry of Finance (MOFEP) / National Tripartite Committee; 2025-2026 daily rates per official gazettements (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Ghana
Burundi
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Ghana is roughly 8 times lower than in Burundi in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $236/mo in Ghana versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 11.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Ghana is 6.7x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Ghana has higher GDP per capita ($8,020 vs $1,195). Ghana's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Ghana | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | GH₵2.72 $0.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | GH₵21.77 $1.47 | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | GH₵565.02 $38.05 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | GH₵6,780.24 $456.58 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | GH₵3,500 /mo $235.69 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | GH₵3,000 /mo $202.02 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | GH₵12,000 /yr $808.08 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Ghana is higher.
Work Week
- Ghana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime must be paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on rest days or public holidays at 2x.
- 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 in Ghana earns 664% less per hour in USD terms than one in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Ghana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Ghana or Burundi?
In Ghana, the minimum wage is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Burundi has the higher rate by 664% 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 Ghana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Ghana compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Ghana is GH₵3,500/mo ($235.69 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Ghana earn approximately 1067% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ghana and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ghana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Ghana and Burundi?
Both Ghana 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 Ghana and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Ghana has the higher GDP per capita at $8,020, which is 6.7x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Ghana'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.