Key Facts: North Korea vs Ivory Coast Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Ivory Coast Minimum Wage
- CFA432.70/hr ($0.78 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Ivory Coast Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA337,000 /mo ($605.03 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Protection Sociale — Côte d'Ivoire (2026-05-04)
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Updated 2026-05-04
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Ivory Coast sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $605/mo in Ivory Coast, a 5.4:1 ratio.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Ivory Coast's 2.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Ivory Coast |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | CFA432.70 $0.78 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | CFA75,000 $134.65 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | CFA900,000 $1,615.80 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | CFA337,000 /mo $605.03 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | CFA280,000 /mo $502.69 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CFA960,000 /yr $1,723.52 |
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.
- Ivory Coast
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week (non-agricultural) and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 115% for the first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 150% for subsequent hours. Night work (9pm-5am) and holiday work have higher multipliers.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Ivory Coast mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Ivory Coast's perspective: Ivory Coast vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Ivory Coast?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Ivory Coast, it is CFA432.70/hr ($0.78 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Ivory Coast?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to CFA337,000/mo ($605.03 USD) in Ivory Coast. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 445% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Ivory Coast is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Ivory Coast. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ivory Coast 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.