Key Facts: Turkey vs Burundi Wages
- Turkey Minimum Wage
- ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Turkey Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₺25,482 /mo ($555.24 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı); 2026 figure announced by Minister Vedat Işıkhan, verified via Daily Sabah (dailysabah.com) (2026-05-04), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Turkey
Burundi
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Turkey is 157% higher than in Burundi when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $555/mo in Turkey versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 27.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkey is 38.2x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Turkey has higher GDP per capita ($45,639 vs $1,195). Turkey's unemployment rate is 8.5% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkey | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₺164.94 $3.59 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₺33,030 $719.70 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₺396,360 $8,636.42 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₺25,482 /mo $555.24 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₺20,021 /mo $436.24 | N/A/mo |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Turkey is higher.
Work Week
- Turkey
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours under the Labour Act (No. 4857). Can be distributed unevenly across days of the week, but no more than 11 hours/day. Overtime is limited to 270 hours/year. Overtime premium is 50%; weekend/holiday work is at 100% premium if the worker does not get a substitute rest day.
- 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 Turkey would see a 157% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Turkey mandates 45 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkey are $162 vs $56 in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Turkey
Compare Turkey with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkey or Burundi?
In Turkey, the minimum wage is ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Turkey has the higher rate by 157% 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 Turkey compared to Burundi?
The average gross salary in Turkey is ₺25,482/mo ($555.24 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in Turkey earn approximately 2650% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkey and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkey earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Turkey and Burundi?
Turkey has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in Turkey work 45 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 Turkey and Burundi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkey has the higher GDP per capita at $45,639, which is 38.2x that of Burundi at $1,195. From Turkey'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.