Key Facts: Mexico vs North Korea Wages
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Mexico 
North Korea
Updated 2026-03-02
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Mexico mandates a wage floor of $553/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $952/mo in Mexico versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 8.6:1 ratio.
Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mexico | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | MX$315.04 $18.18 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mexico is higher.
Work Week
- Mexico
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (daytime). Night shift maximum is 42 hours, mixed shift 45 hours. First 9 hours of overtime per week at 200% rate; beyond that at 300%. A 2023 reform discussion to reduce to 40 hours is pending.
- 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 Mexico
Compare Mexico with...
Mexico vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Mexico vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Mexico vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Mexico vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Mexico vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Mexico vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Mexico vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Mexico vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Mexico vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Mexico vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Mexico vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Mexico vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Mexico vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Mexico vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Mexico vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Mexico vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Mexico vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Mexico vs Switzerland 
Mexico vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Mexico vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Mexico vs Sweden 
Mexico vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Mexico vs Singapore 
Mexico vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or North Korea?
In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mexico compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 757% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mexico earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Mexico and North Korea?
Both Mexico 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.