Key Facts: Mozambique vs Burundi Wages
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Mozambique
Burundi
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Mozambique is 57% lower than in Burundi in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $282/mo in Mozambique versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 14.0:1 ratio. Burundi has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.9% compared to 6.6%.
Mozambique has higher GDP per capita ($1,705 vs $1,195). Mozambique's unemployment rate is 6.6% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mozambique | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MT38.60 $0.60 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MT6,688 $104.75 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MT80,256 $1,256.95 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mozambique is higher.
Work Week
- Mozambique
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.
- 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 Mozambique earns 132% less per hour in USD terms than one in Burundi. Standard work weeks differ: Mozambique mandates 48 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mozambique are $29 vs $56 in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Mozambique
Compare Mozambique with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mozambique or Burundi?
In Mozambique, the minimum wage is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Burundi has the higher rate by 132% 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 Mozambique may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mozambique compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Mozambique is MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Mozambique earn approximately 1296% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mozambique and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mozambique earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Mozambique and Burundi?
Mozambique has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in Mozambique 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 Mozambique and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mozambique has the higher GDP per capita at $1,705, which is 1.4x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Mozambique'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.