Key Facts: Hong Kong vs Burkina Faso Wages
- Hong Kong Minimum Wage
- HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD)
- Burkina Faso Minimum Wage
- CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD)
- Hong Kong Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- HK$20,500 /mo ($2,615.76 USD)
- Burkina Faso Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA89,000 /mo ($159.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- Minimum Wage Commission / Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR; current rate verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-05-01) (2026-05-04), Ministere du Travail (Ministry of Labour) / Decree No. 2023-1450 (2026-02-25)
Hong Kong 
Burkina Faso
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Hong Kong is roughly 12 times higher than in Burkina Faso in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,616/mo in Hong Kong versus $160/mo in Burkina Faso, a 16.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Hong Kong is 26.0x that of Burkina Faso, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Hong Kong's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Hong Kong's minimum wage buys more than Burkina Faso's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Hong Kong is $8 international dollars, compared to $1 in Burkina Faso. Hong Kong has higher GDP per capita ($75,196 vs $2,896). Hong Kong's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Burkina Faso's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Hong Kong | Burkina Faso |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | HK$42.10 $5.37 | CFA259.62 $0.47 |
| Minimum wage /mo | HK$7,297 $931.08 | CFA45,000 $80.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | HK$87,568 $11,173.52 | CFA540,000 $969.48 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | HK$20,500 /mo $2,615.76 | CFA89,000 /mo $159.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | HK$19,475 /mo $2,484.98 | CFA75,000 /mo $134.65 |
| Median individual income /yr | HK$246,000 /yr $31,389.16 | CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Hong Kong is higher.
Work Week
- Hong Kong
-
hrs/wk standard
Hong Kong has NO statutory standard working hours or maximum working hours for most employees (a rare situation globally). The government has considered legislation but has not enacted a standard hours law. Working hours are determined by individual employment contracts. Average actual working hours are ~40-44 hrs/week. Overtime pay is not legally mandated except for certain specific occupations.
- Burkina Faso
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday). First 8 overtime hours paid at 115% of normal rate; subsequent hours at 135%. Nighttime overtime earns 150% premium. Work on Sundays/public holidays at 160% (nighttime: 220%).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Burkina Faso to Hong Kong would see a 1053% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Burkina Faso's perspective: Burkina Faso vs Hong Kong
Compare Hong Kong with...
Hong Kong vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Hong Kong vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Hong Kong vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Hong Kong vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Hong Kong vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Hong Kong vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Hong Kong vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Hong Kong vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Switzerland 
Hong Kong vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Hong Kong vs Sweden 
Hong Kong vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Hong Kong vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Hong Kong or Burkina Faso?
In Hong Kong, the minimum wage is HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD). In Burkina Faso, it is CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD). Hong Kong has the higher rate by 1053% 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 Burkina Faso may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Hong Kong compared to Burkina Faso?
The average gross salary in Hong Kong is HK$20,500/mo ($2,615.76 USD), compared to CFA89,000/mo ($159.78 USD) in Burkina Faso. In USD terms, workers in Hong Kong earn approximately 1537% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Hong Kong and Burkina Faso is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Hong Kong earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burkina Faso.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Hong Kong or Burkina Faso?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Hong Kong can afford more than those in Burkina Faso. The PPP-adjusted rate is $8 in Hong Kong and $1 in Burkina Faso. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 494% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Burkina Faso appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
What is the cost of living difference between Hong Kong and Burkina Faso?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Hong Kong has the higher GDP per capita at $75,196, which is 26.0x that of Burkina Faso at $2,896. From Hong Kong'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.