Home › Countries › North Korea
🇰🇵 North Korea
With 26,571,036 inhabitants (2025), North Korea ranks 56 out of 213 in the population ranking (Asia). The unemployment rate is 3.5 % (2025).
Ctrl + scroll: zoom · drag: pan
Compare with other countries →
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – North Korea, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Births registered with civil authorities (1/178), Share of adults with the right to vote (1/173), Open defecation (1/211).
Weaknesses – North Korea, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Civil society participation index (173/173), Freedom of expression index (173/173), Human rights index (V-Dem) (173/173).
Regional comparison
- Unemployment: North Korea has 3.5 %, close to the regional median (Asia: 3.8 %).
Comparable countries
From closest to furthest. The proximity score (0 to 100) compares each country’s position across all the indicators they have in common: 100 = identical profiles.
- 1🇻🇳Vietnam162 indicators compared43/100
- 2🇨🇳China156 indicators compared36/100
- 3🇱🇦Laos159 indicators compared27/100
- 4🇰🇭Cambodia158 indicators compared24/100
- 5🇲🇲Myanmar (Burma)159 indicators compared23/100
- 6🇧🇾Belarus162 indicators compared21/100
- 7🇹🇲Turkmenistan162 indicators compared20/100
- 8🇪🇷Eritrea153 indicators compared19/100
- 9🇦🇿Azerbaijan162 indicators compared18/100
- 10🇷🇺Russia161 indicators compared17/100
- 11🇨🇺Cuba161 indicators compared16/100
- 12🇹🇯Tajikistan159 indicators compared16/100
All indicators
·Employment 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation rate (ages 15 and over) | 82.2 % | 2025 | 7 of 184 |
| Employment rate (ages 15 and over) | 79.2 % | 2025 | 8 of 184 |
| Employment in agriculture | 54.1 % | 2025 | 19 of 184 |
| Self-employed workers | 62.1 % | 2025 | 42 of 184 |
| Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) | 7.9 % | 2025 | 49 of 184 |
| Unemployment | 3.5 % | 2025 | 60 of 184 |
| Employment in industry | 22.4 % | 2025 | 62 of 184 |
| Employment in services | 23.5 % | 2025 | 178 of 184 |
Foreign Trade 1
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merchandise exports | $611M | 2025 | 164 of 205 |
Investment, Tourism & Aid 1
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) | $9.2M | 2025 | 176 of 203 |
Population & Vital Statistics 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Births registered with civil authorities | 100 % | 2009 | 1 of 178 |
| Share of 15-64 year olds | 68.4 % | 2025 | 46 of 213 |
| Boys per 100 girls at birth | 106 per 100 girls | 2024 | 55 of 213 |
| Population | 26,571,036 inhab. | 2025 | 56 of 213 |
| Share of people aged 65 and over | 12.7 % | 2025 | 76 of 213 |
| Median age of the population | 36 yrs | 2023 | 85 of 226 |
| Share of women in the population | 50.5 % | 2025 | 97 of 213 |
| Urban population | 64.2 % | 2025 | 107 of 213 |
| Number of men per 100 women | 98 per 100 women | 2025 | 117 of 213 |
| Share of men in the population | 49.5 % | 2025 | 117 of 213 |
| Share of 0-14 year olds | 18.9 % | 2025 | 130 of 213 |
| Age dependency ratio | 46.3 per 100 | 2025 | 168 of 213 |
Births, deaths and life expectancy 14
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death rate | 9.9 per 1,000 | 2024 | 42 of 213 |
| Male suicide rate | 14.4 per 100,000 | 2023 | 80 of 183 |
| Healthy life expectancy | 63 yrs | 2023 | 99 of 183 |
| Suicide rate | 10.6 per 100,000 | 2023 | 99 of 183 |
| Infant mortality | 13.3 per 1,000 | 2024 | 103 of 194 |
| Male life expectancy at birth | 71.6 yrs | 2024 | 108 of 213 |
| Under-5 mortality | 16.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 108 of 194 |
| Birth rate | 12.9 per 1,000 | 2024 | 110 of 213 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 73.7 yrs | 2024 | 117 of 213 |
| Children per woman | 1.78 children/woman | 2024 | 117 of 213 |
| Female life expectancy at birth | 75.9 yrs | 2024 | 128 of 213 |
| Road traffic deaths | 24.2 per 100,000 | 2019 | 141 of 188 |
| Female suicide rate | 7.2 per 100,000 | 2023 | 151 of 183 |
| Population growth | 0.27 % | 2025 | 152 of 213 |
Health and healthcare system 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open defecation | 0 % | 2023 | 1 of 211 |
| Measles vaccination | 99 % | 2024 | 1 of 191 |
| Hospital beds | 12.8 per 1,000 | 2018 | 3 of 190 |
| Physicians | 3.63 per 1,000 | 2017 | 40 of 193 |
| Nurses and midwives | 4.38 per 1,000 | 2017 | 84 of 196 |
| Access to basic drinking water | 93.9 % | 2023 | 134 of 211 |
| Access to basic sanitation | 84.8 % | 2023 | 140 of 211 |
| Undernourishment | 47 % | 2018 | 165 of 167 |
Body and lifestyle 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tobacco use among women | 0 % | 2024 | 1 of 165 |
| Obesity among adult women | 14.7 % | 2024 | 36 of 196 |
| Adult obesity | 12 % | 2024 | 38 of 196 |
| Obesity among adult men | 9.2 % | 2024 | 52 of 196 |
| Tobacco use | 15.6 % | 2024 | 65 of 165 |
| Average height of men | 172 cm | 2014 | 86 of 198 |
| Tobacco use among men | 31.1 % | 2024 | 95 of 165 |
| Average height of women | 159 cm | 2014 | 97 of 198 |
| Diabetes prevalence | 9.9 % | 2024 | 121 of 207 |
| Mean body mass index of men | 24.2 kg/m² | 2016 | 129 of 190 |
| Alcohol consumption per capita | 2.6 L/person | 2024 | 133 of 202 |
| Mean body mass index of women | 24 kg/m² | 2016 | 153 of 190 |
Origins, languages and religions 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of the population: people with no religious affiliation | 72.9 % | 2020 | 2 of 192 |
| Share of the population: other religions (including folk religions) | 25.2 % | 2020 | 3 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Buddhists | 1.5 % | 2020 | 21 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Jews | 0 % | 2020 | 94 of 192 |
| Religious diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.49 | 2003 | 97 of 204 |
| Share of the population: Hindus | 0 % | 2020 | 129 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Christians | 0.4 % | 2020 | 180 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Muslims | 0 % | 2020 | 181 of 192 |
| Ethnic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.04 | 2003 | 186 of 205 |
| Linguistic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0 | 2003 | 190 of 203 |
| Share of immigrants in the population | 0.2 % | 2024 | 202 of 212 |
| Majority religion | No religious affiliation (over 50%) | 2020 | 10 countries out of 192 in the same category |
Territory & Borders 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length of coastline | 2,495 km | 2026 | 46 of 227 |
| Latitude of the country's center | 40.1 ° | 2026 | 57 of 232 |
| Population density | 220.1 inh./km² | 2024 | 60 of 212 |
| Number of neighboring countries | 3 countries | 2026 | 81 of 223 |
| Land area | 120,410 km² | 2024 | 97 of 212 |
| Total area | 120,540 km² | 2024 | 99 of 212 |
| Length of land borders | 1,607 km | 2026 | 100 of 230 |
| Landlocked country | Has sea access | 2026 | 183 countries out of 227 in the same category |
Terrain, Water & Climate 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest point | 0 m | 2026 | 39 of 228 |
| Average elevation | 600 m | 2026 | 58 of 166 |
| Highest point | 2,744 m | 2026 | 84 of 229 |
| Average annual rainfall | 1,054 mm | 2022 | 89 of 180 |
| Renewable fresh water per person | 2,545 m³/inh. | 2022 | 90 of 181 |
| Population living less than 5 m above sea level | 4.9 % | 2015 | 136 of 212 |
Land & Nature 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest cover | 64.1 % | 2024 | 24 of 210 |
| Arable land | 19.1 % | 2024 | 57 of 204 |
| Agricultural land | 21.6 % | 2024 | 144 of 207 |
| Protected land areas | 2.4 % | 2025 | 194 of 210 |
Democracy & Elections 13
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of adults with the right to vote | 100 % | 2025 | 1 of 173 |
| Free and fair elections index | 0.12 | 2025 | 143 of 173 |
| Egalitarian democracy index | 0.09 | 2025 | 160 of 173 |
| Participatory democracy index | 0.04 | 2025 | 163 of 173 |
| Electoral democracy index | 0.08 | 2025 | 167 of 173 |
| Liberal democracy index | 0.01 | 2025 | 172 of 173 |
| Core civil society index | 0.02 | 2025 | 172 of 173 |
| Civil society participation index | 0.03 | 2025 | 173 of 173 |
| Minimum voting age | 17 yrs | 2026 | 212 of 222 |
| Head of the executive chosen through multiparty elections | Executive not from multiparty elections | 2025 | 32 countries out of 173 in the same category |
| Multiparty legislative elections | No multiparty legislative elections | 2025 | 9 countries out of 167 in the same category |
| Multiparty national elections | No multiparty elections | 2025 | 19 countries out of 167 in the same category |
| Political regime | Closed autocracy | 2025 | 32 countries out of 173 in the same category |
Civil Liberties & Human Rights 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equality of civil liberties across social groups | -0.29 | 2025 | 137 of 173 |
| Freedom of association index | 0.03 | 2025 | 168 of 173 |
| Academic freedom index | 0.04 | 2025 | 170 of 173 |
| Freedom of expression index | 0.01 | 2025 | 173 of 173 |
| Human rights index (V-Dem) | 0.02 | 2025 | 173 of 173 |
| Political civil liberties index | 0.02 | 2025 | 173 of 173 |
| Private civil liberties index | 0 | 2025 | 173 of 173 |
| Index of individual liberties and equality before the law | 0.01 | 2025 | 173 of 173 |
| Protection from physical violence by the state (V-Dem) | 0.05 | 2025 | 174 of 174 |
Governance & Rule of Law 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political corruption index | 0.67 | 2025 | 113 of 173 |
| Political stability and absence of violence (WGI) | 0.08 | 2025 | 113 of 205 |
| Absence of corruption in the judiciary | -0.93 | 2025 | 123 of 173 |
| Rule of law index (V-Dem) | 0.03 | 2025 | 170 of 173 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index | 15 pts | 2024 | 170 of 179 |
| Judicial constraints on the executive index | 0 | 2025 | 172 of 173 |
| Government effectiveness (WGI) | -1.32 | 2025 | 190 of 203 |
| Rule of law (WGI) | -1.49 | 2025 | 192 of 205 |
| Control of corruption (WGI) | -1.55 | 2025 | 201 of 205 |
| Voice and accountability (WGI) | -2.13 | 2025 | 201 of 203 |
| Regulatory quality (WGI) | -1.99 | 2025 | 202 of 203 |
Women's rights 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year women gained the right to vote | 1,948 | 2025 | 127 of 189 |
| Share of women in parliament | 17.6 % | 2025 | 139 of 192 |
| Share of women among ministers | 0 % | 2020 | 184 of 192 |
| Women's right to vote | Right to vote granted to all women | 2025 | 189 countries out of 194 in the same category |
LGBTQ+ rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT rights index (composite policy index) | -0.4 pts | 2025 | 129 of 194 |
| Joint adoption by a same-sex couple | Not allowed | 2025 | 155 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Age of sexual consent: same-sex couples | Higher for same-sex couples | 2025 | 11 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal change of gender marker | Not legally possible | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Anti-LGBT hate crimes: aggravating circumstance | Not covered | 2025 | 126 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on incitement to anti-LGBT hatred | Not prohibited | 2025 | 141 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on non-consensual surgeries on intersex children | Not banned | 2025 | 182 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on conversion therapies | Not banned | 2025 | 169 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Laws limiting public LGBT expression (“propaganda”) | No restrictions | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex marriage and civil union | Marriage defined as the union of a man and a woman | 2025 | 98 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Death penalty for same-sex relations | No death penalty provided for | 2025 | 185 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection against employment discrimination (sexual orientation, gender identity) | No protection | 2025 | 107 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection from discrimination in goods and services (LGBT) | No protection | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity in the constitution | Not mentioned | 2025 | 180 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal recognition of a third gender | Not recognized | 2025 | 174 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex sexual relations | Legal | 2025 | 130 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Gender-affirming care: coverage and restrictions | Neither coverage nor national restriction | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Justice and security 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Nations Convention against Torture | Neither party nor signatory | 2026 | 27 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | State party | 2026 | 172 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Civilian access to handguns | Prohibited for civilians | 2026 | 60 countries out of 113 in the same category |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | Neither party nor signatory | 2026 | 52 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Legal status of the death penalty | Retained and applied | 2026 | 53 countries out of 195 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (recreational use) | Prohibited but rarely prosecuted | 2026 | 16 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Health and reproductive rights 5
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adolescent birth rate | 0.5 per 1,000 | 2024 | 2 of 213 |
| Unmet need for contraception | 6.6 % | 2017 | 10 of 150 |
| Use of modern contraceptives | 68.8 % | 2017 | 21 of 181 |
| Births attended by skilled health personnel | 99.5 % | 2017 | 67 of 204 |
| Maternal mortality | 67 per 100,000 | 2023 | 111 of 192 |
Work and social rights 2
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal retirement age (men) | 60 yrs | 2026 | 60 of 78 |
| Legal retirement age (women) | 55 yrs | 2026 | 73 of 78 |
Family & Nationality 5
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women married before age 18 | 0.1 % | 2017 | 4 of 144 |
| Age of civil majority | 17 yrs | 2026 | 182 of 187 |
| Dual nationality | Not recognised | 2026 | 98 countries out of 191 in the same category |
| Nationality acquired by birth on the territory | Not acquired automatically by birth in the country | 2026 | 154 countries out of 192 in the same category |
| Legal status of polygamy | Not recognized (prohibited) | 2026 | 107 countries out of 167 in the same category |
Civic duties 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of entry into primary school | 7 yrs | 2025 | 1 of 207 |
| Duration of compulsory schooling | 12 yrs | 2025 | 32 of 194 |
| Compulsory military service | Compulsory military service | 2025 | 61 countries out of 134 in the same category |
| Compulsory voting | Voting compulsory by law | 2026 | 27 countries out of 226 in the same category |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in North Korea?
North Korea has about 26,571,036 inhabitants (2025), ranking 56 worldwide out of 213 countries.
What is the unemployment rate in North Korea?
The unemployment rate is 3.5 % (2025); North Korea ranks 60 out of 184 (ranked from lowest to highest).
Where does North Korea stand in its region (Asia)?
Unemployment: North Korea has 3.5 %, close to the regional median (Asia: 3.8 %).
Where do the figures on North Korea come from?
The data comes from public sources (World Bank, CIA World Factbook…), cited on each indicator page, with the year of each value.
Rank is the position in the world ranking for each indicator (the ranking direction is given on the indicator's page). Sources and update dates are on each indicator's page.