Key Facts: Tunisia vs Burundi Wages
- Tunisia Minimum Wage
- TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Tunisia
Burundi
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Tunisia is 47% lower than in Burundi in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $383/mo in Tunisia versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 19.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Tunisia is 12.2x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Tunisia has higher GDP per capita ($14,521 vs $1,195). Tunisia's unemployment rate is 15.1% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Tunisia | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | TND2.31 $0.74 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | TND16 $5.11 | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | TND480 $153.35 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | TND5,760 $1,840.26 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | TND1,200 /mo $383.39 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | TND1,020 /mo $325.88 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Tunisia is higher.
Work Week
- Tunisia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Labour Code allows both 48-hour and 40-hour regimes depending on sector and collective agreements. Most industrial/services workers are on 48 hours. Overtime surcharge: 75% for daytime hours beyond standard. Night and holiday overtime receive higher premiums. The 40-hour regime is increasingly common in services and offices.
- 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 in Tunisia earns 90% less per hour in USD terms than one in Burundi. Standard work weeks differ: Tunisia mandates 48 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Tunisia are $35 vs $56 in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Tunisia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Tunisia or Burundi?
In Tunisia, the minimum wage is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Burundi has the higher rate by 90% 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 Tunisia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Tunisia compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Tunisia is TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Tunisia earn approximately 1799% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Tunisia and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Tunisia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Tunisia and Burundi?
Tunisia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in Tunisia 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 Tunisia and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Tunisia has the higher GDP per capita at $14,521, which is 12.2x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Tunisia'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.