Key Facts: Yemen vs North Korea Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Yemen 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Yemen mandates a wage floor of $88/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $356/mo in Yemen versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 3.2:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Yemen is higher.
Work Week
- Yemen
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets 48 hours/week. Thursday–Friday is the traditional weekend. Normal labour law enforcement has effectively ceased. Informal employment — petty trade, agriculture, and subsistence activities — dominates the economy.
- 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 Yemen
Compare Yemen with...
Yemen vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Yemen vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Yemen vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Yemen vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Yemen vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Yemen vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Yemen vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Yemen vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Yemen vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Yemen vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Yemen vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Yemen vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Yemen vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Yemen vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Yemen vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Yemen vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Yemen vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Yemen vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Yemen vs Switzerland 
Yemen vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Yemen vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Yemen vs Sweden 
Yemen vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Yemen vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or North Korea?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Yemen compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 221% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Yemen earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Yemen and North Korea?
Both Yemen 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.