Key Facts: North Korea vs Paraguay Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Paraguay Minimum Wage
- ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Paraguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₲4,500,000 /mo ($598.40 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social (MTESS); 2024 figure corrected via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-07-01) (2026-05-04)
North Korea 
Paraguay
Updated 2026-05-04
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Paraguay sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $598/mo in Paraguay, a 5.4:1 ratio.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Paraguay's 4.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | ₲14,574 $1.94 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | ₲93,277 $12.40 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ₲2,798,309 $372.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | ₲33,579,708 $4,465.39 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | ₲4,500,000 /mo $598.40 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | ₲4,050,000 /mo $538.56 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₲26,400,000 /yr $3,510.64 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- Paraguay
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Código del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 42 hours for night work, and 45 for mixed shifts. Overtime: 50% surcharge for daytime, 100% for night/holiday overtime. Weekly rest on Sunday is mandatory.
See this comparison from Paraguay's perspective: Paraguay vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
North Korea vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
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North Korea vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
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 
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Paraguay?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Paraguay, it is ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Paraguay?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to ₲4,500,000/mo ($598.40 USD) in Paraguay. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 439% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Paraguay is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Paraguay 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 Paraguay?
Both North Korea and Paraguay 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.