Key Facts: Benin vs North Korea Wages
- Benin Minimum Wage
- CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Benin 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Benin mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average salaries are higher in Benin at $215/mo compared to $111/mo in North Korea.
Benin's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Benin | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CFA300 $0.54 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA52,000 $93.36 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | CFA624,000 $1,120.29 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CFA100,000 /mo $179.53 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Benin is higher.
Work Week
- Benin
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.12x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Benin mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Benin
Compare Benin with...
Benin vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Benin vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Benin vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Benin vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Benin vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Benin vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Benin vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Benin vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Benin vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Benin vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Benin vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Benin vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Benin vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Benin vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Benin vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Benin vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Benin vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Benin vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Benin vs Switzerland 
Benin vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Benin vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Benin vs Sweden 
Benin vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Benin vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Benin or North Korea?
In Benin, the minimum wage is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Benin compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Benin is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Benin earn approximately 94% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Benin and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Benin earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Benin and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Benin. Workers in Benin work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Benin 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.