Key Facts: Eswatini vs North Korea Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Eswatini 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Eswatini mandates a wage floor of $156/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $375/mo in Eswatini versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 3.4:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 34.2%.
Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Eswatini is higher.
Work Week
- Eswatini
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours per week including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Sunday and public holidays compensated at 2x. Employees are entitled to 14 days paid annual leave.
- 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 Eswatini
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Eswatini vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or North Korea?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Eswatini compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 237% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Eswatini earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Eswatini and North Korea?
Both Eswatini 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.