Key Facts: Bolivia vs North Korea Wages
- Bolivia Minimum Wage
- Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social; 2024 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-05-01) (2026-05-04), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Bolivia 
North Korea
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Bolivia mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $608/mo in Bolivia versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 5.5:1 ratio.
Bolivia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bolivia | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs13.02 $1.88 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs83.33 $12.06 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs2,500 $361.79 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bs32,500 $4,703.33 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs4,200 /mo $607.81 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bs3,780 /mo $547.03 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bolivia is higher.
Work Week
- Bolivia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
General Labour Law (Ley General del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 40 hours for night work, and 44 for mixed shifts. Overtime is paid at 100% surcharge (double pay). Sunday is the mandatory rest day.
- 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 Bolivia
Compare Bolivia with...
Bolivia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Bolivia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Bolivia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Bolivia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Bolivia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Bolivia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Bolivia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Bolivia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Bolivia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Bolivia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Bolivia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Bolivia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Bolivia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Bolivia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Bolivia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Bolivia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Bolivia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Bolivia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Bolivia vs Switzerland 
Bolivia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Bolivia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Bolivia vs Sweden 
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Bolivia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bolivia or North Korea?
In Bolivia, the minimum wage is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bolivia compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Bolivia is Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Bolivia earn approximately 447% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bolivia and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bolivia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Bolivia and North Korea?
Both Bolivia 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.