Key Facts: Portugal vs Burundi Wages
- Portugal Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Portugal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,550 /mo ($1,805.05 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of Portugal (Governo de Portugal); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Portugal
Burundi
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Portugal is 342% higher than in Burundi when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,805/mo in Portugal versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 89.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Portugal is 43.2x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Portugal has higher GDP per capita ($51,680 vs $1,195). Portugal's unemployment rate is 6.2% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portugal | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €5.31 $6.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €920 $1,071.39 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €12,880 $14,999.42 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €1,550 /mo $1,805.05 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,150 /mo $1,339.23 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €14,000 /yr $16,303.71 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Portugal is higher.
Work Week
- Portugal
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Labour Code). The first hour of overtime on a working day is paid at 125%, subsequent hours at 137.5%. Overtime on rest days and public holidays is paid at 150%. Maximum 150 hours of overtime per year (can be increased to 200 by collective agreement). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- 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 Portugal would see a 342% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Portugal
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Portugal or Burundi?
In Portugal, the minimum wage is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Portugal has the higher rate by 342% 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 Portugal compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Portugal is €1,550/mo ($1,805.05 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Portugal earn approximately 8841% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Portugal and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Portugal earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Portugal and Burundi?
Both Portugal 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 Portugal and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Portugal has the higher GDP per capita at $51,680, which is 43.2x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Portugal'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.