Key Facts: North Korea vs Sierra Leone Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
North Korea 
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Sierra Leone sets a floor of $26/mo. Average salaries are higher in North Korea at $111/mo compared to $108/mo in Sierra Leone.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | Le600 $25.97 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs France € 12.02 /hr 
North Korea vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
North Korea vs Canada C$ 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 
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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 
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Sierra Leone?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 3% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Korea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between North Korea and Sierra Leone?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone 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.