Key Facts: North Korea vs Ireland Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Ireland Minimum Wage
- €14.15/hr ($16.48 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Ireland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €4,350 /mo ($5,065.80 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) (2026-03-02)
North Korea 
Ireland
Updated 2026-03-02
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Ireland sets a floor of $16/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $5,066/mo in Ireland, a 45.6:1 ratio.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Ireland's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | €14.15 $16.48 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | €2,452.62 $2,856.20 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | €29,432 $34,275.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | €4,350 /mo $5,065.80 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | €3,100 /mo $3,610.11 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €40,000 /yr $46,582.04 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- Ireland
-
39 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
There is no single statutory standard workweek; 39 hours is the most common. The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 limits average weekly hours to 48 over a 4-month reference period. There is no statutory overtime rate; overtime pay is determined by employment contract or collective agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Ireland mandates 39 hours.
See this comparison from Ireland's perspective: Ireland vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Ireland?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Ireland, it is €14.15/hr ($16.48 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Ireland?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to €4,350/mo ($5,065.80 USD) in Ireland. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 4459% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Ireland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ireland 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 Ireland?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 39 hours in Ireland. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ireland 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.