Key Facts: North Korea vs South Sudan Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while South Sudan sets a floor of $2/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 4.1:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 12.4%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- South Sudan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets 40 hours/week as standard. Enforcement is effectively non-existent across most of the country due to ongoing conflict, institutional collapse, and absence of functioning labour inspectorates.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: North Korea mandates 48 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
North Korea vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
North Korea vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
North Korea vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
North Korea vs France € 12.02 /hr 
North Korea vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
North Korea vs Canada C$ 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 Sudan?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 308% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and South Sudan 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 South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between North Korea and South Sudan?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in North Korea work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in South Sudan 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.