Key Facts: Uzbekistan vs North Korea Wages
- Uzbekistan Minimum Wage
- сўм7,521/hr ($0.62 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Uzbekistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- сўм5,357,000 /mo ($439.03 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (2026-07-06), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Uzbekistan
North Korea
Updated 2026-07-06
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Uzbekistan mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $439/mo in Uzbekistan versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 4.0:1 ratio.
Uzbekistan's unemployment rate is 4.6% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uzbekistan | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | сўм7,521 $0.62 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | сўм1,271,000 $104.16 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | сўм15,252,000 $1,249.96 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | сўм5,357,000 /mo $439.03 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | сўм4,714,000 /mo $386.33 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | сўм30,000,000 /yr $2,458.61 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uzbekistan is higher.
Work Week
- Uzbekistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours. Reduced hours (36 hrs) for workers aged 16-18, hazardous conditions, and night work. Overtime limited to 4 hours per day and 120 hours per year. Overtime is compensated at double rate. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%. Holiday work at double rate.
- 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: Uzbekistan mandates 40 hours while North Korea mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Uzbekistan
Compare Uzbekistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uzbekistan or North Korea?
In Uzbekistan, the minimum wage is сўм7,521/hr ($0.62 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Uzbekistan compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Uzbekistan is сўм5,357,000/mo ($439.03 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Uzbekistan earn approximately 295% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uzbekistan and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uzbekistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Uzbekistan and North Korea?
North Korea has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Uzbekistan. Workers in Uzbekistan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Uzbekistan 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.