Key Facts: Bahrain vs North Korea Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Bahrain 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Bahrain mandates a wage floor of $5/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,261/mo in Bahrain versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 20.3:1 ratio. Bahrain has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.1% compared to 3.5%.
Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bahrain is higher.
Work Week
- Bahrain
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day (36 hours/week). Overtime paid at 125% of normal rate; Friday work at 150%.
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Bahrain vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Bahrain vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Bahrain vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Bahrain vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
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Bahrain vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Bahrain vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Bahrain vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Bahrain vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Bahrain vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Bahrain vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Bahrain vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Bahrain vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Bahrain vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Bahrain vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Bahrain vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Bahrain vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Bahrain vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Bahrain vs Switzerland 
Bahrain vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Bahrain vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Bahrain vs Sweden 
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Bahrain vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or North Korea?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bahrain compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 1935% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bahrain earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and North Korea?
Both Bahrain and North Korea mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.