Key Facts: Philippines vs North Korea Wages
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($293.13 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($324.44 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Philippines 
North Korea
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, the Philippines mandates a wage floor of $293/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $324/mo in the Philippines versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 2.9:1 ratio.
The Philippines' unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Philippines | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | ₱695 $11.27 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₱18,070 $293.13 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₱234,910 $3,810.69 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₱20,000 /mo $324.44 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₱17,600 /mo $285.51 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₱156,000 /yr $2,530.62 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Philippines is higher.
Work Week
- Philippines
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Philippines
Compare Philippines with...
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Philippines vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
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Philippines vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Philippines vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
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Philippines vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Philippines or North Korea?
In the Philippines, the minimum wage is ₱18,070/mo ($293.13 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Philippines compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in the Philippines is ₱20,000/mo ($324.44 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in the Philippines earn approximately 192% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Philippines and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Philippines earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Philippines and North Korea?
Both Philippines 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.