Cambodia North Korea

Updated 2026-06-01

Cambodia

Minimum Wage

$0.88 /hr

Avg. Gross Salary

$300 /mo

North Korea

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

₩100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +170% Cambodia vs North Korea

Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Cambodia mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $300/mo in Cambodia versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 2.7:1 ratio. Cambodia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.3% compared to 3.5%.

Cambodia's unemployment rate is 0.3% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Cambodia and North Korea
Metric	Cambodia	North Korea	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	$0.88	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	$210	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	$2,520	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	$300 /mo	₩100,000 /mo $111.11	+170.0%
Avg. net salary /mo	$285 /mo	₩90,000 /mo $100	+185.0%
Median individual income /yr	$1,800 /yr	N/A/yr	—

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cambodia is higher.

Work Week

Cambodia: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law (1997) sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime is paid at 150% for daytime hours and 200% for nighttime/holiday hours. Maximum overtime is limited. Workers are entitled to 1.5 days off per week (Sunday plus Saturday afternoon). Garment workers typically work 6-day weeks with piece-rate bonuses.
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 Cambodia

Compare Cambodia with...

Cambodia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr

Cambodia vs China ¥ 25 /hr

Cambodia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr

Cambodia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr

Cambodia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo

Cambodia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr

Cambodia vs France € 12.02 /hr

Cambodia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr

Cambodia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr

Cambodia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr

Cambodia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr

Cambodia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr

Cambodia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo

Cambodia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr

Cambodia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr

Cambodia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr

Cambodia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr

Cambodia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr

Cambodia vs Switzerland

Cambodia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr

Cambodia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo

Cambodia vs Sweden

Cambodia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr

Cambodia vs Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Cambodia or North Korea?

In Cambodia, the minimum wage is $0.88/hr. In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much more does the average worker earn in Cambodia compared to North Korea?

The average gross salary in Cambodia is $300/mo, compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Cambodia earn approximately 170% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cambodia and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Cambodia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.

How do work hours compare between Cambodia and North Korea?

Both Cambodia 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.