Key Facts: Lebanon vs Burundi Wages
- Lebanon Minimum Wage
- L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Lebanon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L£27,000,000 /mo ($301.68 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Lebanon (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Lebanon
Burundi
Updated 2026-02-25
Lebanon, a lower-middle-income economy, and Burundi, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $302/mo in Lebanon versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 14.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Lebanon is 10.5x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Lebanon has higher GDP per capita ($12,575 vs $1,195). Lebanon's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lebanon | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L£161,600 $1.81 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L£28,000,000 $312.85 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L£336,000,000 $3,754.19 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L£27,000,000 /mo $301.68 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L£24,000,000 /mo $268.16 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | L£144,000,000 /yr $1,608.94 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Lebanon is higher.
Work Week
- Lebanon
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 150% of normal rate. Overtime on holidays at 200%. In practice, many workers work longer hours due to the economic crisis.
- 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 Lebanon would see a 29% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Lebanon mandates 48 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Lebanon are $87 vs $56 in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Lebanon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lebanon or Burundi?
In Lebanon, the minimum wage is L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Lebanon has the higher rate by 29% 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 Lebanon compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Lebanon is L£27,000,000/mo ($301.68 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Lebanon earn approximately 1394% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lebanon and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Lebanon earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Lebanon and Burundi?
Lebanon has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in Lebanon work 48 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 Lebanon and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Lebanon has the higher GDP per capita at $12,575, which is 10.5x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Lebanon'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.