Key Facts: Georgia vs North Korea Wages
- Georgia Minimum Wage
- ₾0.12/hr ($0.04 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Georgia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₾2,270 /mo ($850.19 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Georgia
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Georgia mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $850/mo in Georgia versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 7.7:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 12.1%.
Georgia's unemployment rate is 12.1% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Georgia | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₾0.12 $0.04 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₾20 $7.49 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₾240 $89.89 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₾2,270 /mo $850.19 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₾1,816 /mo $680.15 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₾12,000 /yr $4,494.38 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Georgia is higher.
Work Week
- Georgia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (2024 reform reduced from 48). Some sectors permit 48 hours with government approval. Overtime premium at least 25%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 20%. The 2024 labour code amendments strengthened overtime protections.
- 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: Georgia mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Georgia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Georgia or North Korea?
In Georgia, the minimum wage is ₾0.12/hr ($0.04 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Georgia compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Georgia is ₾2,270/mo ($850.19 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Georgia earn approximately 665% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Georgia and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Georgia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Georgia and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Georgia. Workers in Georgia work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Georgia 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.