Key Facts: Democratic Republic of the Congo vs North Korea Wages
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FC884/hr ($0.31 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FC400,000 /mo ($142.35 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / DRC Ministry of Labour / World Bank (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average salaries are higher in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at $142/mo compared to $111/mo in North Korea.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo's unemployment rate is 4.4% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Democratic Republic of the Congo | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FC884 $0.31 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | FC7,075 $2.52 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | FC184,950 $65.82 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FC400,000 /mo $142.35 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Democratic Republic of the Congo is higher.
Work Week
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 015-2002) sets standard hours at 9 hours/day for a 5-day week or 7.5 hours/day for a 6-day week, totaling 45 hours/week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% (day), 150% (night), 200% (Sundays and public holidays). These rules apply only to formal employment. The country observes 6 national public holidays.
- 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: the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandates 45 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Democratic Republic of the Congo
Compare Democratic Republic of the Congo with...
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Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Democratic Republic of the Congo or North Korea?
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the minimum wage is FC884/hr ($0.31 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Democratic Republic of the Congo compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is FC400,000/mo ($142.35 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earn approximately 28% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Democratic Republic of the Congo and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Democratic Republic of the Congo and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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.