Key Facts: South Korea vs Chad Wages
- South Korea Minimum Wage
- ₩10,320/hr ($6.84 USD)
- Chad Minimum Wage
- FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD)
- South Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩3,960,000 /mo ($2,624.88 USD)
- Chad Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA180,000 /mo ($323.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- Minimum Wage Commission (최저임금위원회) (2026-05-15), ILO / Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et du Dialogue Social (Chad) (2026-02-25)
South Korea
Chad
Updated 2026-05-15
The minimum wage in South Korea is roughly 16 times lower than in Chad in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,625/mo in South Korea versus $323/mo in Chad, a 8.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in South Korea is 22.3x that of Chad, underscoring the structural economic divide.
South Korea has higher GDP per capita ($61,051 vs $2,743). South Korea's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Chad's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Korea | Chad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₩10,320 $6.84 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₩2,156,880 $1,429.69 | FCFA60,000 $107.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₩25,882,560 $17,156.22 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩3,960,000 /mo $2,624.88 | FCFA180,000 /mo $323.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩3,170,000 /mo $2,101.23 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ₩33,360,000 /yr $22,112.63 | FCFA180,000 /yr $323.16 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means South Korea is higher.
Work Week
- South Korea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hrs/week base with maximum 12 hrs overtime (52 total). Overtime, night work (10pm-6am), and holiday work each receive a 50% premium. Businesses with 5-49 employees had a phased implementation completed in 2021. Government proposed a flexible 69-hour weekly cap in 2023 but withdrew after public backlash.
- Chad
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Overtime compensated at 1.5x. These provisions apply only to a narrow formal-sector workforce.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in South Korea earns 1475% less per hour in USD terms than one in Chad.
See this comparison from Chad's perspective: Chad vs South Korea
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Korea or Chad?
In South Korea, the minimum wage is ₩10,320/hr ($6.84 USD). In Chad, it is FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD). Chad has the higher rate by 1475% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in South Korea may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in South Korea compared to Chad?
The average gross salary in South Korea is ₩3,960,000/mo ($2,624.88 USD), compared to FCFA180,000/mo ($323.16 USD) in Chad. In USD terms, workers in South Korea earn approximately 712% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Korea and Chad is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in South Korea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Chad.
How do work hours compare between South Korea and Chad?
Both South Korea and Chad mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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.
What is the cost of living difference between South Korea and Chad?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. South Korea has the higher GDP per capita at $61,051, which is 22.3x that of Chad at $2,743. From South Korea's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.