Colombia North Korea

Updated 2026-05-27

Colombia

Minimum Wage

COP7,295.44 /hr

$1.77 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

COP2,200,000 /mo

North Korea

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

₩100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +379% Colombia vs North Korea

Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Colombia mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $533/mo in Colombia versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 4.8:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 8.3%.

Colombia's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Colombia and North Korea
Metric	Colombia	North Korea	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	COP7,295.44 $1.77	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	COP1,750,905 $423.95	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	COP22,761,765 $5,511.32	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69	₩100,000 /mo $111.11	+379.4%
Avg. net salary /mo	COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77	₩90,000 /mo $100	+368.8%
Median individual income /yr	COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80	N/A/yr	—

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

Work Week

Colombia: 44 hrs/wk standard

Max 44 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Colombia is reducing the workweek from 48 to 42 hours under Ley 2101 de 2021 in annual steps. As of 2026-01-01, the maximum is 44 hours/week. The final step (44h → 42h) takes effect July 2026. Daytime overtime: 25% premium. Night overtime: 75% premium. Sunday/holiday work: 75% premium (175% if also overtime).
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: Colombia mandates 44 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.

See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Colombia

Compare Colombia with...

Colombia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr

Colombia vs China ¥ 25 /hr

Colombia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr

Colombia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr

Colombia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo

Colombia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr

Colombia vs France € 12.02 /hr

Colombia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr

Colombia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr

Colombia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr

Colombia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr

Colombia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr

Colombia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo

Colombia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr

Colombia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr

Colombia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr

Colombia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr

Colombia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr

Colombia vs Switzerland

Colombia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr

Colombia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo

Colombia vs Sweden

Colombia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr

Colombia vs Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Colombia or North Korea?

In Colombia, the minimum wage is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.

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

The average gross salary in Colombia is COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Colombia earn approximately 379% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Colombia and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Colombia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.

How do work hours compare between Colombia and North Korea?

North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Colombia. Workers in Colombia work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Colombia 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.