Key Facts: Qatar vs Burundi Wages
- Qatar Minimum Wage
- QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Qatar
Burundi
Updated 2026-02-25
Qatar, a high-income economy, and Burundi, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,221/mo in Qatar versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 159.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 105.5x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Qatar has higher GDP per capita ($126,046 vs $1,195). Qatar's unemployment rate is 0.1% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Qatar | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | QAR5.21 $1.43 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | QAR1,000 $274.73 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | QAR12,000 $3,296.70 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 | N/A/mo |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Qatar is higher.
Work Week
- Qatar
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/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 Qatar would see a 2% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Qatar mandates 48 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Qatar are $69 vs $56 in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Qatar
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Qatar or Burundi?
In Qatar, the minimum wage is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Qatar has the higher rate by 2% 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 Qatar compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Qatar is QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Qatar earn approximately 15854% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Qatar and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Qatar and Burundi?
Qatar has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in Qatar 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 Qatar and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 105.5x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Qatar'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.