Key Facts: North Korea vs Morocco Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Inclusion Économique, de la Petite Entreprise, de l'Emploi et des Compétences (miepeec.gov.ma); 2026 SMIG/SMAG figures verified (second stage of two-stage 10% increase agreed in April 2024 social dialogue) (2026-05-04)
North Korea
Morocco
Updated 2026-05-04
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Morocco sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $613/mo in Morocco, a 5.5:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 9.0%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Morocco's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | MAD17.92 $1.83 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 |
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.
- Morocco
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 44 hours/week for non-agricultural sectors (2,288 hrs/year) and 48 hours/week for agriculture (2,496 hrs/year). Overtime: 25% premium for daytime hours, 50% for nighttime. On rest days/holidays: 50% daytime, 100% nighttime.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Morocco mandates 44 hours.
See this comparison from Morocco's perspective: Morocco vs North Korea
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Morocco?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Morocco, it is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Morocco?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD) in Morocco. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 452% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Morocco is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Morocco 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 Morocco?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Morocco. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Morocco 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.