Key Facts: Bhutan vs North Korea Wages
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Bhutan 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Bhutan mandates a wage floor of $36/mo. Average salaries are higher in Bhutan at $198/mo compared to $111/mo in North Korea.
Bhutan's unemployment rate is 3.2% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bhutan | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | Nu125 $1.38 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | Nu3,250 $35.75 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | Nu39,000 $429.04 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bhutan is higher.
Work Week
- Bhutan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Bhutan Labour and Employment Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard workweek (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. The public sector follows a 5-day, 8-hour schedule.
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Bhutan mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Bhutan
Compare Bhutan with...
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Bhutan vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Bhutan vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Bhutan vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Bhutan vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
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Bhutan vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bhutan or North Korea?
In Bhutan, the minimum wage is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bhutan compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Bhutan is Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Bhutan earn approximately 78% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bhutan and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bhutan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Bhutan and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bhutan. Workers in Bhutan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bhutan 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.