Key Facts: North Korea vs Slovenia Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Slovenia Minimum Wage
- €8.55/hr ($9.96 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Slovenia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,300 /mo ($2,678.47 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
North Korea 
Slovenia
Updated 2026-05-04
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Slovenia sets a floor of $10/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $2,678/mo in Slovenia, a 24.1:1 ratio.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Slovenia's 3.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Slovenia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | €8.55 $9.96 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | €1,481.88 $1,725.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | €17,782.56 $20,708.70 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | €2,300 /mo $2,678.47 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | €1,580 /mo $1,839.99 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €16,800 /yr $19,564.46 |
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.
- Slovenia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (minimum 36 hours for full-time). Overtime limited to 8 hours/week and 170 hours/year (extendable to 230 by consent). Overtime premium at least 30%.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while Slovenia mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Slovenia's perspective: Slovenia vs North Korea
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Slovenia?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Slovenia, it is €8.55/hr ($9.96 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Slovenia?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to €2,300/mo ($2,678.47 USD) in Slovenia. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 2311% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Slovenia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Slovenia 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 Slovenia?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Slovenia. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Slovenia 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.