Key Facts: North Korea vs Myanmar Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Myanmar Minimum Wage
- K975/hr ($0.46 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Myanmar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- K450,000 /mo ($214.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), National Committee for Setting up the Minimum Wage — Myanmar (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Myanmar
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Myanmar sets a floor of $0/hr. Average salaries are lower in North Korea at $111/mo compared to $214/mo in Myanmar.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Myanmar's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Myanmar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | K975 $0.46 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | K7,800 $3.71 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | K202,800 $96.57 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | K2,433,600 $1,158.86 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | K450,000 /mo $214.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | K400,000 /mo $190.48 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | K1,800,000 /yr $857.14 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- Myanmar
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets normal working hours at 44 hours per week for factories. Shops and Establishments Law allows up to 48 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Myanmar mandates 44 hours.
See this comparison from Myanmar's perspective: Myanmar vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs France € 12.02 /hr 
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North Korea vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
North Korea vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
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North Korea vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
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North Korea vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
North Korea vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
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 Myanmar?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Myanmar, it is K975/hr ($0.46 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Myanmar?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to K450,000/mo ($214.29 USD) in Myanmar. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 93% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Myanmar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Myanmar 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 Myanmar?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Myanmar. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Myanmar 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.