Key Facts: North Korea vs Fiji Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Fiji Minimum Wage
- FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Fiji Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FJ$2,500 /mo ($1,126.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Fiji Government / Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (2026-02-25)
North Korea
Fiji
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Fiji sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $1,126/mo in Fiji, a 10.1:1 ratio.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Fiji's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Fiji |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | FJ$5 $2.25 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | FJ$960 $432.43 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | FJ$11,520 $5,189.19 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | FJ$2,500 /mo $1,126.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | FJ$2,100 /mo $945.95 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | FJ$14,400 /yr $6,486.49 |
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.
- Fiji
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Statutory maximum of 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days) under the Employment Relations Act 2007. Many office-based employers adopt a 40-hour week (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday) by policy or collective agreement. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays at 2x.
See this comparison from Fiji's perspective: Fiji vs North Korea
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Fiji?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Fiji, it is FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Fiji?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to FJ$2,500/mo ($1,126.13 USD) in Fiji. 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 Fiji is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Fiji 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 Fiji?
Both North Korea and Fiji 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.