Key Facts: North Korea vs Uganda Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Uganda Minimum Wage
- UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Uganda
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Uganda sets a floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $424/mo in Uganda, a 3.8:1 ratio.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Uganda's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Uganda |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | UGX750 $0.21 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | UGX130,000 $36.78 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | UGX1,560,000 $441.30 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 |
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.
- Uganda
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
See this comparison from Uganda's perspective: Uganda vs North Korea
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Uganda?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Uganda, it is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Uganda?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD) in Uganda. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 282% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Uganda is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uganda 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 Uganda?
Both North Korea and Uganda mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.