Photo: Tequendamia · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Burundi: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Burundi is placed 71st of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 77.53 (2025); Labour Income Share 38.41 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
71st
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Burundi on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
77.53
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Burundi: 77.53. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 82.89 Madagascar
- Land neighbours
- DR Congo 61.45 · Rwanda 56.45 · Tanzania 82.4
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
0.922
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Burundi: 0.922. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.922 Burundi
- Land neighbours
- DR Congo 4.434 · Rwanda 11.36 · Tanzania 1.572
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
83.66
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Burundi: 83.66. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 14.88 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- DR Congo 81.51 · Rwanda 39.36 · Tanzania 83.65
02Over time
Which way Burundi is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
BurundiWorld median
Burundi fell from 80.06 in 2000 to 77.53 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Burundi World median 2025 77.53 57.720 2024 77.77 57.694 2023 78.08 58.158 2022 78.39 57.688 2021 78.21 56.066 2020 77.74 55.691 2019 78.91 57.871 2018 79.13 56.911 2017 79.09 56.738 2016 78.84 56.845 2015 78.34 56.788 2014 77.70 56.774 2013 77.59 56.229 2012 77.45 56.289 2011 77.31 56.297 2010 77.16 56.212 2009 76.89 56.255 2008 76.61 57.308 2007 75.81 56.933 2006 74.98 56.685 2005 75.95 56.129 2004 76.83 55.465 2003 77.68 55.630 2002 78.47 55.843 2001 79.28 56.018 2000 80.06 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
BurundiWorld median
Burundi rose from 31.93 in 2004 to 38.41 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Burundi World median 2025 38.41 46.230 2024 38.74 46.060 2023 39.08 45.900 2022 39.39 45.615 2021 38.87 45.433 2020 38.46 47.267 2019 39.51 46.277 2018 39.78 46.187 2017 40.02 46.467 2016 37.16 46.798 2015 44.89 46.876 2014 39.43 47.281 2013 40.61 46.887 2012 42.76 46.231 2011 38.69 45.679 2010 34.50 46.024 2009 36.98 47.071 2008 35.40 45.312 2007 42.68 45.246 2006 31.75 45.670 2005 33.15 46.265 2004 31.93 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
BurundiWorld median
Burundi fell from 3.137 in 2000 to 0.922 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Burundi World median 2025 0.922 5.08 2024 0.915 5.15 2023 0.911 5.21 2022 0.909 5.34 2021 1.118 6.04 2020 1.030 6.38 2019 1.043 5.36 2018 1.147 5.35 2017 1.250 5.59 2016 1.352 5.90 2015 1.449 6.41 2014 1.572 6.58 2013 1.584 6.71 2012 1.593 6.79 2011 1.602 6.90 2010 1.615 7.04 2009 1.622 6.67 2008 1.634 5.79 2007 2.404 6.00 2006 3.185 6.50 2005 3.162 7.09 2004 3.177 6.80 2003 3.145 6.95 2002 3.168 6.91 2001 3.154 6.96 2000 3.137 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
BurundiWorld median
Burundi fell from 87.05 in 2000 to 83.66 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Burundi World median 2025 83.6641 28.67 2024 83.7288 29.04 2023 83.7854 29.33 2022 83.7817 29.67 2021 83.7818 30.01 2020 84.3287 30.54 2019 84.7378 29.98 2018 85.0883 30.15 2017 85.4434 29.93 2016 85.8007 29.91 2015 86.1758 30.26 2014 86.5542 30.47 2013 86.6975 31.14 2012 86.8256 31.00 2011 86.9381 31.41 2010 86.9984 32.37 2009 87.0228 32.59 2008 87.0828 31.76 2007 87.1014 33.47 2006 87.1486 34.27 2005 87.1622 34.66 2004 87.1779 35.51 2003 87.1730 35.90 2002 87.1543 35.96 2001 87.1561 35.27 2000 87.0531 35.67
03In context
Burundi beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Burundi and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tanzania | =29th | 82.4 | 54.19 | 1.572 | 83.65 |
| Burundi | 71st | 77.53 | 38.41 | 0.922 | 83.66 |
 DR Congo | 137th | 61.45 | 37.74 | 4.434 | 81.51 |
 Rwanda | =158th | 56.45 | 39.77 | 11.36 | 39.36 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Burundi in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Burundi is ahead of the world, and behind
24 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which Burundi does better than the middle country measured.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3679.553.36No real change since 2015
Burundi: 79.5 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 5th of 182 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.831.67812.83▲ Improved since 2015
Burundi: 1.678 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 178th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6678.2561.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Burundi: 78.25 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 14th of 182 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8126.4141.81No earlier reading
Burundi: 26.41 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 134th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 343▼ Worsened since 2015
Burundi: 4 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Behind the world median11
Statistics on which Burundi does worse than the middle country measured.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.613.021.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Burundi: 3.02 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▼ Worsened since 2015
Burundi: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.161119.16No earlier reading
Burundi: 11 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 137th of 179 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0713.2432.07No earlier reading
Burundi: 13.24 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.685.61116.68No earlier reading
Burundi: 5.611 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 124th of 139 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.96.345.9No earlier reading
Burundi: 6.3 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88571.784.885No real change since 2015
Burundi: 71.78 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2302,24425,230No real change since 2010
Burundi: 2,244 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 150th of 151 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,742210.776,742No real change since 2015
Burundi: 210.77 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 151st of 151 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,3842,45647,384No real change since 2015
Burundi: 2,456 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 168th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.160.9222.16No real change since 2015
Burundi: 0.92 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 182nd of 182 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Burundi: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3885.3414.38No real change since 2015
Burundi: 85.34 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 1st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8484.8531.84No real change since 2015
Burundi: 84.85 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 10th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8940.9738.89Moved since 2015
Burundi: 40.97 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 70th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.012.87215.01No earlier reading
Burundi: 2.872 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 127th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.883.10318.88No real change since 2015
Burundi: 3.103 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 182nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5111.5659.51No real change since 2015
Burundi: 11.56 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 182nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.954.038657.95No real change since 2014
Burundi: 4.038 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
No current reading for Burundi
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2020), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4) (last 2014), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2021), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2020), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2020), Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate (last 2014), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2020) and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2020). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Burundi’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Burundi’s 3rd best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energyjoint 28th of 1652/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability38th of 1864/4 keys
- Work & Labour71st of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology149th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality142nd of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture150th of 1842/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience159th of 1933/4 keys
- Peace & Security147th of 1774/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation157th of 1762/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality146th of 1593/3 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 182nd of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 186th of 2004/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties186th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions185th of 1944/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge193rd of 1983/4 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Burundi can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Eastern Africa
Tanzania=29th4/4 keysThis page
Burundi71st4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Burundi and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Burundi on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Burundi rank on work & labour?
Burundi is placed 71st of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Burundi?
77.53 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Burundi?
38.41 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Burundi compare with DR Congo on work & labour?
DR Congo is placed 137th of 182, and Burundi 71st. Employment-to-Population Ratio: DR Congo 61.45, Burundi 77.53; Labour Income Share: DR Congo 37.74, Burundi 38.41; Unemployment Rate: DR Congo 4.434, Burundi 0.922; Vulnerable Employment: DR Congo 81.51, Burundi 83.66.
How have Burundi’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 80.06 in 2000 to 77.53 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 31.93 in 2004 to 38.41 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 3.137 in 2000 to 0.922 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 87.05 in 2000 to 83.66 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Burundi?
No current reading is published for Burundi on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Burundi’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Burundi (banner) — Tequendamia, CC0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Burundi: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/burundi/work