Key Facts: Suriname vs North Korea Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Suriname 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Suriname mandates a wage floor of $59/mo. Average salaries are higher in Suriname at $150/mo compared to $111/mo in North Korea. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 7.8%.
Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Suriname is higher.
Work Week
- Suriname
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Suriname Labour Act sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is compensated at a minimum of 1.5x the regular wage. Sunday and public holiday work is typically at 2x.
- 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: Suriname mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Suriname
Compare Suriname with...
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Suriname vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or North Korea?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Suriname compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 35% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Suriname earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Suriname and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Suriname. Workers in Suriname work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Suriname 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.