Key Facts: North Korea vs Philippines Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($323.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04)
North Korea 
Philippines
Updated 2026-05-04
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while the Philippines sets a floor of $293/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $324/mo in the Philippines, a 2.9:1 ratio.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to the Philippines' 2.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | None | ₱695 $11.25 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ₱18,070 $292.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | ₱234,910 $3,804.09 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | ₱20,000 /mo $323.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | ₱17,600 /mo $285.01 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₱156,000 /yr $2,526.23 |
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.
- Philippines
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.
See this comparison from Philippines's perspective: Philippines 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 Philippines?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In the Philippines, it is ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Philippines?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to ₱20,000/mo ($323.88 USD) in the Philippines. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 191% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Philippines is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Philippines 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 Philippines?
Both North Korea and Philippines 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.