Key Facts: North Korea vs Gabon Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Gabon
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Gabon sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $996/mo in Gabon, a 9.0:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 20.1%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Gabon's 20.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Gabon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | FCFA865.38 $1.55 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | FCFA150,000 $269.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 |
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.
- Gabon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime capped at 20 hours/week, permitted only for exceptional, urgent, or seasonal work. Weekday overtime at 125% of normal rate; Sundays/public holidays at 150-200%. Employees entitled to 10 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day of weekly rest (usually Sunday). Governed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Gabon mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Gabon's perspective: Gabon vs North Korea
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Gabon?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Gabon, it is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Gabon?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD) in Gabon. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 797% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Gabon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Gabon 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 Gabon?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Gabon. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Gabon 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.