Key Facts: Guatemala vs North Korea Wages
- Guatemala Minimum Wage
- Q15.34/hr ($2 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Guatemala Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Q5,800 /mo ($756.19 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social — Guatemala (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Guatemala 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Guatemala mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $756/mo in Guatemala versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 6.8:1 ratio.
Guatemala's unemployment rate is 2.6% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guatemala | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Q15.34 $2 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | Q3,681 $479.92 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | Q44,172 $5,759.06 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Q5,800 /mo $756.19 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Q5,200 /mo $677.97 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | Q28,000 /yr $3,650.59 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guatemala is higher.
Work Week
- Guatemala
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary work at 8 hours/day (daytime), 6 hours/day (nighttime), for a maximum of 48 hours/week (daytime) or 36 hours/week (nighttime). Overtime paid at 150% of regular rate.
- 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 Guatemala
Compare Guatemala with...
Guatemala vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Guatemala vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Guatemala vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Guatemala vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Guatemala vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Guatemala vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Guatemala vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Guatemala vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Guatemala vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Guatemala vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Guatemala vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Guatemala vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Guatemala vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Guatemala vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Guatemala vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Guatemala vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Guatemala vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Guatemala vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Guatemala vs Switzerland 
Guatemala vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Guatemala vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Guatemala vs Sweden 
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Guatemala vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guatemala or North Korea?
In Guatemala, the minimum wage is Q15.34/hr ($2 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Guatemala compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Guatemala is Q5,800/mo ($756.19 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Guatemala earn approximately 581% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guatemala and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Guatemala earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Guatemala and North Korea?
Both Guatemala 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.