Key Facts: North Korea vs South Africa Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- South Africa Minimum Wage
- R30.23/hr ($1.86 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- South Africa Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R26,500 /mo ($1,630.41 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Department of Employment and Labour; 2026 figure cross-verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2026-03-01) (2026-05-04)
North Korea 
South Africa
Updated 2026-05-04
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while South Africa sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $1,630/mo in South Africa, a 14.7:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 32.4%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to South Africa's 32.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | R30.23 $1.86 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | R5,239.87 $322.38 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | R62,878.40 $3,868.58 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | R26,500 /mo $1,630.41 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | R21,500 /mo $1,322.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | R72,000 /yr $4,429.79 |
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.
- South Africa
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Basic Conditions of Employment Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 10 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x; Sunday/public holiday work is 2x.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while South Africa mandates 45 hours.
See this comparison from South Africa's perspective: South Africa 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 South Africa?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In South Africa, it is R30.23/hr ($1.86 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to South Africa?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to R26,500/mo ($1,630.41 USD) in South Africa. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 1367% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and South Africa is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in South Africa 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 South Africa?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in South Africa. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in South Africa 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.