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Key Facts: United Arab Emirates vs Burundi Wages

United Arab Emirates Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Burundi Minimum Wage
FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
United Arab Emirates Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
AED16,000 /mo ($4,356.71 USD)
Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE); UAE has no universal statutory minimum wage — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 empowers Cabinet to set one but none has been enacted (2026-05-04), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)

United Arab Emirates flag United Arab Emirates Burundi flag Burundi

Updated 2026-05-04

United Arab Emirates flag United Arab Emirates

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

AED16,000 /mo

Burundi flag Burundi

Minimum Wage

FBu4,160 /mo

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FBu60,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +21480% United Arab Emirates vs Burundi

The United Arab Emirates has no statutory minimum wage, while Burundi sets a floor of $1/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,357/mo in the United Arab Emirates versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 215.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in United Arab Emirates is 66.3x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.

The United Arab Emirates has higher GDP per capita ($79,229 vs $1,195). The United Arab Emirates' unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between United Arab Emirates and Burundi
Metric United Arab Emirates Burundi
Minimum wage /day None FBu160 $0.05
Minimum wage /mo None FBu4,160 $1.40
Avg. gross salary /mo AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 FBu60,000 /mo $20.19
Avg. net salary /mo AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr AED120,000 /yr $32,675.29 N/A/yr

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means United Arab Emirates is higher.

Work Week

United Arab Emirates

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Standard workweek is 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Government sector moved to a 4.5-day week (Mon-Fri noon) in January 2022. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours/day. Overtime premium: 25% for normal overtime, 50% for overtime between 9pm-4am. Maximum 2 hours overtime per day. Friday is the weekly rest day (or as per contract).

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

Standard work weeks differ: the United Arab Emirates mandates 48 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours.

See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs United Arab Emirates

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in United Arab Emirates or Burundi?

In the United Arab Emirates, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD).

How much more does the average worker earn in United Arab Emirates compared to Burundi?

The average gross salary in the United Arab Emirates is AED16,000/mo ($4,356.71 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in the United Arab Emirates earn approximately 21480% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between United Arab Emirates and Burundi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the United Arab Emirates earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Burundi.

How do work hours compare between United Arab Emirates and Burundi?

United Arab Emirates has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in the United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates and Burundi?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. United Arab Emirates has the higher GDP per capita at $79,229, which is 66.3x that of Burundi at $1,195. From the United Arab Emirates' 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.