Key Facts: North Korea vs Argentina Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Argentina Minimum Wage
- ARS1,762/hr ($1.64 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Argentina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ARS850,000 /mo ($792.91 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Consejo Nacional del Empleo, la Productividad y el Salario Mínimo, Vital y Móvil — verified directly via argentina.gob.ar/trabajo/consejodelsalario (primary source) (2026-05-04)
North Korea 
Argentina
Updated 2026-05-04
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Argentina sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $793/mo in Argentina, a 7.1:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 7.2%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Argentina's 7.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | ARS1,762 $1.64 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ARS352,400 $328.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | ARS4,581,200 $4,273.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | ARS850,000 /mo $792.91 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | ARS700,000 /mo $652.99 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ARS5,400,000 /yr $5,037.31 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Argentina
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Legal maximum of 48 hours/week (8 hours/day for daytime work). Overtime on regular days is 50% premium; Saturdays after 1pm, Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
See this comparison from Argentina's perspective: Argentina vs North Korea
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North Korea vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Argentina?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Argentina, it is ARS1,762/hr ($1.64 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Argentina?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to ARS850,000/mo ($792.91 USD) in Argentina. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 614% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Argentina is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Argentina earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between North Korea and Argentina?
Both North Korea and Argentina 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.