Key Facts: Uganda vs North Korea Wages
- Uganda Minimum Wage
- UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Uganda
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Uganda mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $424/mo in Uganda versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 3.8:1 ratio.
Uganda's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uganda | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | UGX750 $0.21 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | UGX130,000 $36.78 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | UGX1,560,000 $441.30 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uganda is higher.
Work Week
- Uganda
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
- 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 Uganda
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uganda or North Korea?
In Uganda, the minimum wage is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Uganda compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Uganda earn approximately 282% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uganda and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uganda earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Uganda and North Korea?
Both Uganda 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.