Syria North Korea

Updated 2026-02-25

Syria

Minimum Wage

£S1,850 /mo

$16.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£S13,500 /mo

North Korea

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

₩100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +8% Syria vs North Korea

Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Syria mandates a wage floor of $16/mo. Average salaries are higher in Syria at $120/mo compared to $111/mo in North Korea. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 13.6%.

Syria's unemployment rate is 13.6% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Syria and North Korea
Metric	Syria	North Korea	Diff
Minimum wage /mo	£S1,850 $16.46	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	£S13,500 /mo $120.13	₩100,000 /mo $111.11	+8.1%
Avg. net salary /mo	£S12,000 /mo $106.78	₩90,000 /mo $100	+6.8%

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

Work Week

Syria: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law No. 17 of 2010 set 48 hours/week as the standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Enforcement is impossible across most of the country due to conflict. Government employees in Damascus and other major cities are the primary remaining formal workforce.
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 Syria

Compare Syria with...

Syria vs United States $ 7.25 /hr

Syria vs China ¥ 25 /hr

Syria vs Germany € 13.9 /hr

Syria vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr

Syria vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo

Syria vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr

Syria vs France € 12.02 /hr

Syria vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr

Syria vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr

Syria vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr

Syria vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr

Syria vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr

Syria vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo

Syria vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr

Syria vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr

Syria vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr

Syria vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr

Syria vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr

Syria vs Switzerland

Syria vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr

Syria vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo

Syria vs Sweden

Syria vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr

Syria vs Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Syria or North Korea?

In Syria, the minimum wage is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.

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

The average gross salary in Syria is £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Syria earn approximately 8% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Syria and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Syria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.

How do work hours compare between Syria and North Korea?

Both Syria 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.