Key Facts: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs North Korea Wages
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Minimum Wage
- KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KM1,870 /mo ($1,126.51 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS) (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Bosnia and Herzegovina mandates a wage floor of $3/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,127/mo in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 10.1:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 11.0%.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bosnia and Herzegovina | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KM5.75 $3.46 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | KM1,000 $602.41 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | KM12,000 $7,228.92 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KM1,870 /mo $1,126.51 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KM1,314 /mo $791.57 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | KM10,800 /yr $6,506.02 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bosnia and Herzegovina is higher.
Work Week
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week in FBiH and 4 hours per day in RS. Overtime premium at least 30%. Night work premium at least 30%. Weekend work premium at least 20%. Holiday work premium at least 50%.
- 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: Bosnia and Herzegovina mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Compare Bosnia and Herzegovina with...
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Switzerland 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sweden 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bosnia and Herzegovina or North Korea?
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the minimum wage is KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Bosnia and Herzegovina is KM1,870/mo ($1,126.51 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn approximately 914% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bosnia and Herzegovina 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.