Key Facts: North Korea vs France Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- France Minimum Wage
- €12.02/hr ($14.00 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- France Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,500 /mo ($4,075.93 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), French Ministry of Labour (2026-03-02)
North Korea 
France
Updated 2026-03-02
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while France sets a floor of $14/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $4,076/mo in France, a 36.7:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 7.5%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to France's 7.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | France |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | €12.02 $14.00 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | €1,823.03 $2,123.01 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | €21,876.36 $25,476.14 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | €3,500 /mo $4,075.93 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €24,000 /yr $27,949.23 |
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.
- France
-
35 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Legal workweek is 35 hours. Overtime: 25% premium for hours 36-43, 50% premium beyond 43 hours. Annual maximum 220 overtime hours unless collective agreement states otherwise.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while France mandates 35 hours.
See this comparison from France's perspective: France vs North Korea
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North Korea vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or France?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In France, it is €12.02/hr ($14.00 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to France?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to €3,500/mo ($4,075.93 USD) in France. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 3568% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and France is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in France 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 France?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 35 hours in France. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in France 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.