Key Facts: North Korea vs Bhutan Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Bhutan
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Bhutan sets a floor of $36/mo. Average salaries are lower in North Korea at $111/mo compared to $198/mo in Bhutan.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Bhutan's 3.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Bhutan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | None | Nu125 $1.38 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | Nu3,250 $35.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | Nu39,000 $429.04 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 |
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.
- Bhutan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Bhutan Labour and Employment Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard workweek (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. The public sector follows a 5-day, 8-hour schedule.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Bhutan mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Bhutan's perspective: Bhutan vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Bhutan?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Bhutan, it is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Bhutan?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD) in Bhutan. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 78% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Bhutan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bhutan 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 Bhutan?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bhutan. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bhutan 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.