Key Facts: North Korea vs Libya Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Libya
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Libya sets a floor of $93/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $370/mo in Libya, a 3.3:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 18.8%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | LD450 $92.59 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
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.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
North Korea vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
North Korea vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
North Korea vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
North Korea vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
North Korea vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
North Korea vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
North Korea vs France € 12.02 /hr 
North Korea vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
North Korea vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
North Korea vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
North Korea vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
North Korea vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
North Korea vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
North Korea vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
North Korea vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
North Korea vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
North Korea vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
North Korea vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
North Korea vs Switzerland 
North Korea vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
North Korea vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
North Korea vs Sweden 
North Korea vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Libya?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Libya?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 233% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Libya 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 Libya?
Both North Korea and Libya 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.