Netherlands North Korea

Updated 2026-05-27

Netherlands

Minimum Wage

€14.71 /hr

$17.13 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

€3,900 /mo

North Korea

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

₩100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +3988% Netherlands vs North Korea

Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, the Netherlands mandates a wage floor of $17/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,542/mo in the Netherlands versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 40.9:1 ratio.

The Netherlands' unemployment rate is 3.9% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Netherlands and North Korea
Metric	Netherlands	North Korea	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	€14.71 $17.13	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	€2,549.73 $2,969.29	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	€30,596.76 $35,631.49	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	€3,900 /mo $4,541.75	₩100,000 /mo $111.11	+3987.6%
Avg. net salary /mo	€2,750 /mo $3,202.52	₩90,000 /mo $100	+3102.5%
Median individual income /yr	€36,500 /yr $42,506.11	N/A/yr	—

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

Work Week

Netherlands: 36 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Standard workweek varies by sector: commonly 36, 38, or 40 hours. The Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) limits working time to 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, averaged to a maximum of 48 hours over 16 weeks. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements or individual contracts.
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.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: the Netherlands mandates 36 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.

See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Netherlands

Compare Netherlands with...

Netherlands vs United States $ 7.25 /hr

Netherlands vs China ¥ 25 /hr

Netherlands vs Germany € 13.9 /hr

Netherlands vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr

Netherlands vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo

Netherlands vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr

Netherlands vs France € 12.02 /hr

Netherlands vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr

Netherlands vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr

Netherlands vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr

Netherlands vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr

Netherlands vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr

Netherlands vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo

Netherlands vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr

Netherlands vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr

Netherlands vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr

Netherlands vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr

Netherlands vs Switzerland

Netherlands vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr

Netherlands vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo

Netherlands vs Sweden

Netherlands vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr

Netherlands vs Singapore

Netherlands vs Norway

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Netherlands or North Korea?

In the Netherlands, the minimum wage is €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.

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

The average gross salary in the Netherlands is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in the Netherlands earn approximately 3988% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Netherlands and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Netherlands earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.

How do work hours compare between Netherlands and North Korea?

North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 36 hours in the Netherlands. Workers in the Netherlands work 36 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Netherlands working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.