Key Facts: Libya vs North Korea Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Libya 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Libya mandates a wage floor of $93/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 3.3:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 18.8%.
Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Libya is higher.
Work Week
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
- 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 Libya
Compare Libya with...
Libya vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Libya vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Libya vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Libya vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Libya vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Libya vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Libya vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Libya vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Libya vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Libya vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Libya vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Libya vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Libya vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Libya vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Libya vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Libya vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Libya vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Libya vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Libya vs Switzerland 
Libya vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Libya vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Libya vs Sweden 
Libya vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Libya vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or North Korea?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Libya compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 233% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Libya earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Libya and North Korea?
Both Libya 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.