Key Facts: Lebanon vs North Korea Wages
- Lebanon Minimum Wage
- L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Lebanon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L£27,000,000 /mo ($301.68 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Lebanon (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Lebanon 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Lebanon mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $302/mo in Lebanon versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 2.7:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 11.0%.
Lebanon's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lebanon | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L£161,600 $1.81 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | L£28,000,000 $312.85 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | L£336,000,000 $3,754.19 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L£27,000,000 /mo $301.68 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L£24,000,000 /mo $268.16 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | L£144,000,000 /yr $1,608.94 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Lebanon is higher.
Work Week
- Lebanon
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 150% of normal rate. Overtime on holidays at 200%. In practice, many workers work longer hours due to the economic crisis.
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Lebanon
Compare Lebanon with...
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Lebanon vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
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Lebanon vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Lebanon vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
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Lebanon vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Lebanon vs Switzerland 
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Lebanon vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lebanon or North Korea?
In Lebanon, the minimum wage is L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Lebanon compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Lebanon is L£27,000,000/mo ($301.68 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Lebanon earn approximately 172% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lebanon and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Lebanon earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Lebanon and North Korea?
Both Lebanon 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.