Key Facts: North Korea vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Minimum Wage
- KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KM1,870 /mo ($1,126.51 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS) (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Bosnia and Herzegovina sets a floor of $3/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $1,127/mo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 10.1:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 11.0%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina's 11.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | KM5.75 $3.46 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | KM1,000 $602.41 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | KM12,000 $7,228.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | KM1,870 /mo $1,126.51 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | KM1,314 /mo $791.57 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | KM10,800 /yr $6,506.02 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week in FBiH and 4 hours per day in RS. Overtime premium at least 30%. Night work premium at least 30%. Weekend work premium at least 20%. Holiday work premium at least 50%.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Bosnia and Herzegovina mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Bosnia and Herzegovina's perspective: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
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North Korea vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
North Korea vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
North Korea vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
North Korea vs Switzerland 
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to KM1,870/mo ($1,126.51 USD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 914% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Bosnia and Herzegovina is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bosnia and Herzegovina 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.