Key Facts: North Korea vs Central African Republic Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Central African Republic Minimum Wage
- FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Central African Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA75,000 /mo ($134.65 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHADA Labour Code (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Central African Republic
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while the Central African Republic sets a floor of $63/mo. Average salaries are lower in North Korea at $111/mo compared to $135/mo in the Central African Republic. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 6.3%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to the Central African Republic's 6.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Central African Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | None | FCFA1,400 $2.51 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | FCFA35,000 $62.84 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | FCFA75,000 /mo $134.65 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | N/A/mo |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- Central African Republic
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Labour Code sets a standard 40-hour workweek, with maximum 48 hours including overtime. These provisions apply to formal employment only, which represents a small fraction of total employment. Enforcement capacity is severely constrained by institutional fragility.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while the Central African Republic mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Central African Republic's perspective: Central African Republic vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
North Korea vs France € 12.02 /hr 
North Korea vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
North Korea vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
North Korea vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
North Korea vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
North Korea vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
North Korea vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
North Korea vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
North Korea vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
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 Central African Republic?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In the Central African Republic, it is FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Central African Republic?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to FCFA75,000/mo ($134.65 USD) in the Central African Republic. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 21% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Central African Republic is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Central African Republic 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 Central African Republic?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Central African Republic. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Central African Republic 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.