Italy North Korea

Updated 2026-02-25

Italy

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

€2,600 /mo

North Korea

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

₩100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +2625% Italy vs North Korea

Neither Italy nor North Korea has a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective bargaining or sectoral agreements. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,028/mo in Italy versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 27.3:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 6.4%.

Italy's unemployment rate is 6.4% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Italy and North Korea
Metric	Italy	North Korea	Diff
Avg. gross salary /mo	€2,600 /mo $3,027.83	₩100,000 /mo $111.11	+2625.0%
Avg. net salary /mo	€1,850 /mo $2,154.42	₩90,000 /mo $100	+2054.4%
Median individual income /yr	€22,500 /yr $26,202.40	N/A/yr	—

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

Work Week

Italy: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.
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: Italy mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.

See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Italy

Compare Italy with...

Italy vs United States $ 7.25 /hr

Italy vs China ¥ 25 /hr

Italy vs Germany € 13.9 /hr

Italy vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr

Italy vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo

Italy vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr

Italy vs France € 12.02 /hr

Italy vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr

Italy vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr

Italy vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr

Italy vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr

Italy vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr

Italy vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo

Italy vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr

Italy vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr

Italy vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr

Italy vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr

Italy vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr

Italy vs Switzerland

Italy vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr

Italy vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo

Italy vs Sweden

Italy vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr

Italy vs Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

How much more does the average worker earn in Italy compared to North Korea?

The average gross salary in Italy is €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Italy earn approximately 2625% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Italy and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.

How do work hours compare between Italy and North Korea?

North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Italy. Workers in Italy work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Italy 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.