Key Facts: North Korea vs Republic of the Congo Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FCFA90,000/mo ($161.58 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA280,000 /mo ($502.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Congo-Brazzaville) (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Republic of the Congo
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while the Republic of the Congo sets a floor of $162/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $503/mo in the Republic of the Congo, a 4.5:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 19.9%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to the Republic of the Congo's 19.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Republic of the Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | FCFA90,000 $161.58 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | FCFA280,000 /mo $502.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | FCFA480,000 /yr $861.76 |
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.
- Republic of the Congo
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x for the first 8 hours, 2x thereafter. Sunday is the statutory rest day.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while the Republic of the Congo mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Republic of the Congo's perspective: Republic of the Congo vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Republic of the Congo?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In the Republic of the Congo, it is FCFA90,000/mo ($161.58 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Republic of the Congo?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to FCFA280,000/mo ($502.69 USD) in the Republic of the Congo. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 352% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Republic of the Congo is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Republic of the Congo 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 Republic of the Congo?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Republic of the Congo. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Republic of the Congo 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.