Key Facts: North Korea vs Mali Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mali Minimum Wage
- CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Mali Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Mali Ministry of Labour and Civil Service / ILO (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Mali
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Mali sets a floor of $0/hr. Average salaries are lower in North Korea at $111/mo compared to $215/mo in Mali.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Mali's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Mali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | CFA192.30 $0.35 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | CFA1,538 $2.76 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | CFA40,000 $71.81 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | CFA480,000 $861.76 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 |
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.
- Mali
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 92-020 of 23 September 1992, amended) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime rates: 115% for day hours; 130% for hours between 21:00 and 05:00 on weekdays; 150% for Sunday daytime; 200% for night hours on Sundays/holidays. Workers are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked (30 days/year). Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) are accommodated — Mali is ~90% Muslim.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Mali mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Mali's perspective: Mali vs North Korea
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Mali?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Mali, it is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Mali?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Mali. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 94% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Mali is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mali 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 Mali?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mali. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mali 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.