Key Facts: North Korea vs Costa Rica Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Costa Rica Minimum Wage
- ₡1,554.55/hr ($3.04 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Costa Rica Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₡620,000 /mo ($1,210.94 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Costa Rica (2026-06-01)
North Korea 
Costa Rica
Updated 2026-06-01
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Costa Rica sets a floor of $3/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $1,211/mo in Costa Rica, a 10.9:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 6.8%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Costa Rica's 6.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | ₡1,554.55 $3.04 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ₡373,092.42 $728.70 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | ₡4,850,201.46 $9,473.05 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | ₡620,000 /mo $1,210.94 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | ₡508,400 /mo $992.97 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₡4,680,000 /yr $9,140.63 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- Costa Rica
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary workday at 8 hours (daytime) and 6 hours (nighttime), with 48-hour weekly maximum for day shifts and 36 hours for night shifts. Mixed shifts max at 7 hours/day (42/week). Overtime paid at 150% of regular rate (50% premium). In practice, many formal sector jobs work 40-45 hours.
See this comparison from Costa Rica's perspective: Costa Rica vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
North Korea vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
North Korea vs Taiwan NT$ 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 Costa Rica?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Costa Rica, it is ₡1,554.55/hr ($3.04 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Costa Rica?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to ₡620,000/mo ($1,210.94 USD) in Costa Rica. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 990% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Costa Rica is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Costa Rica 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 Costa Rica?
Both North Korea and Costa Rica 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.