Key Facts: Serbia vs Burundi Wages
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Serbia
Burundi
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Serbia is 80% higher than in Burundi when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,023/mo in Serbia versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 50.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Serbia is 27.5x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Serbia has higher GDP per capita ($32,832 vs $1,195). Serbia's unemployment rate is 7.1% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Serbia | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RSD271 $2.52 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | RSD2,168 $20.17 | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | RSD47,000 $437.21 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RSD564,000 $5,246.51 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Serbia is higher.
Work Week
- Serbia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.26x pay
Labour Law sets full-time working hours at 40/week. Overtime: minimum 26% surcharge. Night work (22:00-06:00): minimum 26% surcharge. Holiday work: minimum 110% surcharge. Maximum overtime is 8 hours/week. Reduced working hours (36 or fewer) for hazardous occupations.
- 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 Serbia would see a 80% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Serbia
Compare Serbia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Serbia or Burundi?
In Serbia, the minimum wage is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Serbia has the higher rate by 80% 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 Serbia compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Serbia is RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Serbia earn approximately 4969% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Serbia and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Serbia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Serbia and Burundi?
Both Serbia 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 Serbia and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Serbia has the higher GDP per capita at $32,832, which is 27.5x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Serbia'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.