Peru North Korea

Updated 2026-05-27

Peru

Minimum Wage

S/5.89 /hr

$1.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

S/2,200 /mo

North Korea

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

₩100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +438% Peru vs North Korea

Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Peru mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $598/mo in Peru versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 5.4:1 ratio.

Peru's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Peru and North Korea
Metric	Peru	North Korea	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	S/5.89 $1.60	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	S/1,130 $307.07	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	S/15,820 $4,298.91	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	S/2,200 /mo $597.83	₩100,000 /mo $111.11	+438.0%
Avg. net salary /mo	S/1,870 /mo $508.15	₩90,000 /mo $100	+408.2%
Median individual income /yr	S/15,600 /yr $4,239.13	N/A/yr	—

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Peru is higher.

Work Week

Peru: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Constitution sets maximum at 48 hours/week, 8 hours/day (or 6 days at 8 hrs). Office workers commonly work 40-45 hrs. Overtime: first 2 hours at 125%, subsequent hours at 135%. Night shift (10pm-6am) receives a 35% surcharge.
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.

See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Peru

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Peru or North Korea?

In Peru, the minimum wage is S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much more does the average worker earn in Peru compared to North Korea?

The average gross salary in Peru is S/2,200/mo ($597.83 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Peru earn approximately 438% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Peru and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Peru earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.

How do work hours compare between Peru and North Korea?

Both Peru and North Korea 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.