Key Facts: North Korea vs Democratic Republic of the Congo Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FC884/hr ($0.31 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FC400,000 /mo ($142.35 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / DRC Ministry of Labour / World Bank (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo sets a floor of $0/hr. Average salaries are lower in North Korea at $111/mo compared to $142/mo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 4.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | FC884 $0.31 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | FC7,075 $2.52 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | FC184,950 $65.82 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | FC400,000 /mo $142.35 |
| 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.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 015-2002) sets standard hours at 9 hours/day for a 5-day week or 7.5 hours/day for a 6-day week, totaling 45 hours/week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% (day), 150% (night), 200% (Sundays and public holidays). These rules apply only to formal employment. The country observes 6 national public holidays.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandates 45 hours.
See this comparison from Democratic Republic of the Congo's perspective: Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Democratic Republic of the Congo?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is FC884/hr ($0.31 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to FC400,000/mo ($142.35 USD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 28% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Democratic Republic of the Congo is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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.