Key Facts: Botswana vs North Korea Wages
- Botswana Minimum Wage
- P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Botswana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- P7,500 /mo ($555.14 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Botswana 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Botswana mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $555/mo in Botswana versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 5.0:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 24.5%.
Botswana's unemployment rate is 24.5% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Botswana | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | P9.06 $0.67 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | P1,883 $139.38 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | P22,596 $1,672.54 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | P7,500 /mo $555.14 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | P6,200 /mo $458.92 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | P36,000 /yr $2,664.69 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Botswana is higher.
Work Week
- Botswana
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or 8 hours/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 14 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays or rest days compensated at 2x.
- 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 Botswana
Compare Botswana with...
Botswana vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Botswana vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Botswana vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Botswana vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Botswana vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Botswana vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Botswana vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Botswana vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Botswana vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Botswana vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Botswana vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Botswana vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Botswana vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Botswana vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Botswana vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Botswana vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Botswana vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Botswana vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Botswana vs Switzerland 
Botswana vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Botswana vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Botswana vs Sweden 
Botswana vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Botswana vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Botswana or North Korea?
In Botswana, the minimum wage is P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Botswana compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Botswana is P7,500/mo ($555.14 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Botswana earn approximately 400% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Botswana and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Botswana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Botswana and North Korea?
Both Botswana 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.