Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs North Korea Wages
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Turkmenistan 
North Korea
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Turkmenistan mandates a wage floor of $331/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $714/mo in Turkmenistan versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 6.4:1 ratio.
Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkmenistan | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | T1,160 $331.43 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | T2,500 /mo $714.29 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Turkmenistan is higher.
Work Week
- Turkmenistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Saturday and Sunday are rest days. State-sector employees work standard government hours. The gas industry may have different shift arrangements.
- 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: Turkmenistan mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Turkmenistan
Compare Turkmenistan with...
Turkmenistan vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Turkmenistan vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Turkmenistan vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Switzerland 
Turkmenistan vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Turkmenistan vs Sweden 
Turkmenistan vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Turkmenistan vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or North Korea?
In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Turkmenistan compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 543% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkmenistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Turkmenistan and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Turkmenistan. Workers in Turkmenistan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Turkmenistan 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.