Key Facts: Bangladesh vs North Korea Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Employment / Minimum Wage Board; sectoral structure cross-referenced via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (2026-05-04), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Bangladesh 
North Korea
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Bangladesh mandates a wage floor of $104/mo. Average salaries are higher in Bangladesh at $149/mo compared to $111/mo in North Korea.
Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bangladesh is higher.
Work Week
- Bangladesh
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Bangladesh Labour Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 60 hours/week. Overtime paid at double the basic wage. Factories must provide one day off per week.
- 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 Bangladesh
Compare Bangladesh with...
Bangladesh vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Bangladesh vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Bangladesh vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Bangladesh vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Bangladesh vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Bangladesh vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Bangladesh vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Bangladesh vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Switzerland 
Bangladesh vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Bangladesh vs Sweden 
Bangladesh vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Bangladesh vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or North Korea?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bangladesh compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 34% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bangladesh earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Bangladesh and North Korea?
Both Bangladesh 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.