Key Facts: Liberia vs North Korea Wages
- Liberia Minimum Wage
- $156/mo
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Liberia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour (Liberia) (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Liberia 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Liberia mandates a wage floor of $156/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $350/mo in Liberia versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 3.1:1 ratio.
Liberia's unemployment rate is 2.9% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Liberia | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | $6 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | $156 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | $900 /yr | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Liberia is higher.
Work Week
- Liberia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Decent Work Act 2015 sets a standard workweek of 8 hours/day, 6 days/week (48 hours). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply to formal-sector employers.
- 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 Liberia
Compare Liberia with...
Liberia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Liberia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Liberia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Liberia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Liberia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Liberia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Liberia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Liberia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Liberia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Liberia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Liberia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Liberia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Liberia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Liberia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Liberia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Liberia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Liberia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Liberia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Liberia vs Switzerland 
Liberia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Liberia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Liberia vs Sweden 
Liberia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Liberia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Liberia or North Korea?
In Liberia, the minimum wage is $156/mo. In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Liberia compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Liberia is $350/mo, compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Liberia earn approximately 215% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Liberia and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Liberia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Liberia and North Korea?
Both Liberia 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.