Key Facts: Niger vs Burkina Faso Wages
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Burkina Faso Minimum Wage
- CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD)
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Burkina Faso Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA89,000 /mo ($159.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25), Ministere du Travail (Ministry of Labour) / Decree No. 2023-1450 (2026-02-25)
Niger
Burkina Faso
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Niger is roughly 116 times higher than in Burkina Faso in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Niger at $215/mo compared to $160/mo in Burkina Faso. Niger has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.4% compared to 3.5%.
Niger has lower GDP per capita ($2,050 vs $2,896). Niger's unemployment rate is 0.4% compared to Burkina Faso's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Niger | Burkina Faso |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA259.62 $0.47 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA30,047 $53.94 | CFA45,000 $80.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CFA540,000 $969.48 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | CFA89,000 /mo $159.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | CFA75,000 /mo $134.65 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 | CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Niger is higher.
Work Week
- Niger
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply only to the small formal sector.
- 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%).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Burkina Faso to Niger would see a 11473% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Burkina Faso's perspective: Burkina Faso vs Niger
Compare Niger with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Niger or Burkina Faso?
In Niger, the minimum wage is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). In Burkina Faso, it is CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 11473% 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 Niger compared to Burkina Faso?
The average gross salary in Niger is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to CFA89,000/mo ($159.78 USD) in Burkina Faso. In USD terms, workers in Niger earn approximately 35% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Niger and Burkina Faso is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Niger earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burkina Faso.
How do work hours compare between Niger and Burkina Faso?
Both Niger and Burkina Faso 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 Niger and Burkina Faso?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Burkina Faso has the higher GDP per capita at $2,896, which is 1.4x that of Niger at $2,050. From Niger's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.