Key Facts: Gambia vs North Korea Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Gambia 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, the Gambia mandates a wage floor of $18/mo. Average salaries are lower in the Gambia at $108/mo compared to $111/mo in North Korea. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 6.5%.
The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | ₩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 Gambia is higher.
Work Week
- Gambia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard working week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime is payable at 1.5x for weekdays and 2x for Sundays and 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 Gambia mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Gambia
Compare Gambia with...
Gambia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Gambia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Gambia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Gambia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Gambia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Gambia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Gambia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Gambia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Gambia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Gambia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Gambia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Gambia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Gambia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Gambia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Gambia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Gambia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Gambia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Gambia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Gambia vs Switzerland 
Gambia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Gambia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Gambia vs Sweden 
Gambia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Gambia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or North Korea?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Gambia compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 3% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia 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 the Gambia.
How do work hours compare between Gambia and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Gambia. Workers in the Gambia work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Gambia 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.