Burundi: jobs and pay

How many workers in Burundi pay into social security?

238,961 people were insured with Burundi's National Social Security Institute (INSS) in 2024, and 97,374 with the National Office of Pensions and Occupational Risks (ONPR), according to the INSBU Statistical Yearbook 2024. INSS membership was 172,033 in 2015.

The INSS covers employees in the private sector and state enterprises, while the ONPR covers civil servants, magistrates and other public employees. Together they cover a small part of the workforce: most Burundians work in farming or informal jobs that are not covered. The yearbook also reports the number of pensioners and pension payments of each scheme.

Official sources: INSBU: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF)

What is the unemployment rate in Burundi?

Unemployment in Burundi was 0.9% of the labour force in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate published by the World Bank.

The figure is low because the ILO definition counts anyone who worked at least one hour in the reference week as employed, and most Burundians work on family farms. Underemployment and informal work are better measures of the labour market. The INSBU Statistical Yearbook 2024 reports employment by status and the number of registered employers, and INSBU runs national labour and household surveys.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment (ILO modelled estimate), Burundi · INSBU: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF)

How much is the minimum wage in Burundi?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Burundi was 4,157 BIF a month (about $1) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in Burundi?

$51 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Burundi for 2020, according to the ILO. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $174 a month, and Burundi placed 8th highest of 8. World rank, highest first: 93rd of 93.

How high is unemployment in Burundi?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 0.9%. The peak was 3.2% in 2006 and the low 0.9% in 2022. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.2%; Burundi is 44th highest of 45. Worldwide: 170th of 174.

How many young people in Burundi are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 1.7%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 8.8%, and Burundi placed 43rd highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 170th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in Burundi?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Burundi at 78.3% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 80.1%; its low point was 2006, at 77.4%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3%, and Burundi placed 8th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 14th of 174.

What share of women in Burundi are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Burundi was 79.5% in 2025. The peak was 81.1% in 2017 and the low 77.1% in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.3%; Burundi is 4th highest of 45. Worldwide: 5th of 174.

How many people in Burundi are employed?

77.5%: that is the employment to population ratio in Burundi for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 79.1% in 2018 and the low 75.0% in 2006. It is 6th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. World rank, highest first: 10th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Burundi?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 83.7%. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Burundi placed 7th highest of 45. Worldwide: 7th of 174.

What share of workers in Burundi earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 15.1%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; Burundi is 36th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 165th highest.