Key Facts: Zambia vs North Korea Wages
- Zambia Minimum Wage
- ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD)
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Zambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ZK7,000 /mo ($369.20 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security / Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (2026-02-25), ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25)
Zambia 
North Korea
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike North Korea, which has no statutory minimum wage, Zambia mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $369/mo in Zambia versus $111/mo in North Korea, a 3.3:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 5.9%.
Zambia's unemployment rate is 5.9% compared to North Korea's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Zambia | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ZK6.25 $0.33 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | ZK1,300 $68.57 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | ZK15,600 $822.78 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ZK7,000 /mo $369.20 | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ZK5,800 /mo $305.91 | ₩90,000 /mo $100 |
| Median individual income /yr | ZK28,000 /yr $1,476.79 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Zambia is higher.
Work Week
- Zambia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on Sundays and public holidays. Governed by the Employment Code Act, 2019.
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
See this comparison from North Korea's perspective: North Korea vs Zambia
Compare Zambia with...
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Zambia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
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Zambia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Zambia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Zambia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Zambia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Zambia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Zambia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Zambia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Zambia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Zambia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Zambia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Zambia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Zambia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Zambia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Zambia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Zambia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Zambia vs Switzerland 
Zambia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Zambia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Zambia vs Sweden 
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Zambia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Zambia or North Korea?
In Zambia, the minimum wage is ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD). In North Korea, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Zambia compared to North Korea?
The average gross salary in Zambia is ZK7,000/mo ($369.20 USD), compared to ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD) in North Korea. In USD terms, workers in Zambia earn approximately 232% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zambia and North Korea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Zambia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between Zambia and North Korea?
Both Zambia 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.