Key Facts: Republic of the Congo vs North Korea Wages
- Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FCFA90,000/mo ($161.58 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA280,000 /mo ($502.69 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Congo-Brazzaville) (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Republic of the Congo 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, the Republic of the Congo mandates a wage floor of $162/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $503/mo in the Republic of the Congo versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 4.5:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 19.9%.
The Republic of the Congo's unemployment rate is 19.9% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Republic of the Congo | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA90,000 $161.58 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA280,000 /mo $502.69 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA480,000 /yr $861.76 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Republic of the Congo is higher.
Work Week
- Republic of the Congo
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x for the first 8 hours, 2x thereafter. Sunday is the statutory rest day.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: the Republic of the Congo mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Republic of the Congo
Compare Republic of the Congo with...
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Republic of the Congo vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Republic of the Congo or North Korea?
In the Republic of the Congo, the minimum wage is FCFA90,000/mo ($161.58 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Republic of the Congo compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in the Republic of the Congo is FCFA280,000/mo ($502.69 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in the Republic of the Congo earn approximately 352% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Republic of the Congo and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Republic of the Congo earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Republic of the Congo and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Republic of the Congo. Workers in the Republic of the Congo work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Republic of the Congo 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.