Kuwait North Korea

Updated 2026-02-25

Kuwait

Minimum Wage

KWD0.39 /hr

$1.27 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

KWD1,200 /mo

North Korea

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

₩100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +3418% Kuwait vs North Korea

Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Kuwait mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,909/mo in Kuwait versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 35.2:1 ratio.

Kuwait's unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Kuwait and North Korea
Metric	Kuwait	North Korea	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	KWD0.39 $1.27	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	KWD75 $244.30	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	KWD900 $2,931.60	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79	₩100,000 /mo $111.11	+3417.9%
Avg. net salary /mo	KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79	₩90,000 /mo $100	+3808.8%
Median individual income /yr	KWD9,600 /yr $31,270.36	N/A/yr	—

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

Work Week

Kuwait: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium is 25% of regular pay, with work on rest days or public holidays at double pay. Government sector hours are typically 35 hours/week.
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 Kuwait

Compare Kuwait with...

Kuwait vs United States $ 7.25 /hr

Kuwait vs China ¥ 25 /hr

Kuwait vs Germany € 13.9 /hr

Kuwait vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr

Kuwait vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo

Kuwait vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr

Kuwait vs France € 12.02 /hr

Kuwait vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr

Kuwait vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr

Kuwait vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr

Kuwait vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr

Kuwait vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr

Kuwait vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo

Kuwait vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr

Kuwait vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr

Kuwait vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr

Kuwait vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr

Kuwait vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr

Kuwait vs Switzerland

Kuwait vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr

Kuwait vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo

Kuwait vs Sweden

Kuwait vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr

Kuwait vs Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Kuwait or North Korea?

In Kuwait, the minimum wage is KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.

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

The average gross salary in Kuwait is KWD1,200/mo ($3,908.79 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Kuwait earn approximately 3418% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kuwait and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kuwait earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.

How do work hours compare between Kuwait and North Korea?

Both Kuwait 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.