Ethiopia North Korea

Updated 2026-02-25

Ethiopia

Minimum Wage

ETB7.50 /hr

$0.06 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ETB6,500 /mo

North Korea

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

₩100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: -54% Ethiopia vs North Korea

Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Ethiopia mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $51/mo in Ethiopia versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 2.2:1 ratio.

Ethiopia's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Ethiopia and North Korea
Metric	Ethiopia	North Korea	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	ETB7.50 $0.06	None	—
Minimum wage /day	ETB43.33 $0.34	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	ETB1,300 $10.16	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	ETB15,600 $121.88	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	ETB6,500 /mo $50.78	₩100,000 /mo $111.11	-54.3%
Avg. net salary /mo	ETB5,600 /mo $43.75	₩90,000 /mo $100	-56.3%

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

Work Week

Ethiopia: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 125% for first 2 hours, 150% for additional hours, 200% for weekends, 250% for public holidays. Night work (10pm-6am) carries a 50% premium. These regulations apply to formal employment relationships only.
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 Ethiopia

Compare Ethiopia with...

Ethiopia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr

Ethiopia vs China ¥ 25 /hr

Ethiopia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr

Ethiopia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr

Ethiopia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo

Ethiopia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr

Ethiopia vs France € 12.02 /hr

Ethiopia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr

Ethiopia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr

Ethiopia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr

Ethiopia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr

Ethiopia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr

Ethiopia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo

Ethiopia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr

Ethiopia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr

Ethiopia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr

Ethiopia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr

Ethiopia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr

Ethiopia vs Switzerland

Ethiopia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr

Ethiopia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo

Ethiopia vs Sweden

Ethiopia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr

Ethiopia vs Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Ethiopia or North Korea?

In Ethiopia, the minimum wage is ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Ethiopia compared to North Korea?

The average gross salary in Ethiopia is ETB6,500/mo ($50.78 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Ethiopia earn approximately 119% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ethiopia and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Korea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Ethiopia.

How do work hours compare between Ethiopia and North Korea?

Both Ethiopia 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.