Key Facts: Spain vs Burundi Wages
- Spain Minimum Wage
- €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Spain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,450 /mo ($2,853.15 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social (2026-03-02), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Spain
Burundi
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Spain is roughly 7 times higher than in Burundi in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,853/mo in Spain versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 141.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Spain is 48.5x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Spain has higher GDP per capita ($57,965 vs $1,195). Spain's unemployment rate is 10.4% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Spain | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €7.96 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €1,221 $1,421.92 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €17,094 $19,906.84 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,450 /mo $2,853.15 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,900 /mo $2,212.65 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €22,000 /yr $25,620.12 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Spain is higher.
Work Week
- Spain
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Workers' Statute, Article 34). Maximum 80 hours of overtime per year. Overtime compensation is set by collective agreement or individual contract, with a minimum of regular hourly rate or equivalent time off. EU Working Time Directive caps average weekly hours at 48.
- 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 Spain would see a 562% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Spain
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Spain or Burundi?
In Spain, the minimum wage is €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Spain has the higher rate by 562% 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 Spain compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Spain is €2,450/mo ($2,853.15 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Spain earn approximately 14033% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Spain and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Spain earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Spain and Burundi?
Both Spain 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 Spain and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Spain has the higher GDP per capita at $57,965, which is 48.5x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Spain'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.