North Korea

The population of North Korea is approximately 27M (2024).

The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang.

GDP data for North Korea is currently being loaded.

Life expectancy in North Korea is 73.74 years (2024).

North Korea covers 120,538 km² (46,540 sq mi).

North Korea is densely populated, with 221 people per km² — above the global average of 60.

North Korea's population is growing slowly at 0.3% per year, below the global average.

The official language of North Korea is Korean.

North Korea uses the North Korean won (₩) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit North Korea are April, May, June, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.

Current estimates show that North Korea has a population of approximately 26.7 million people. This figure ranks the nation 56th in the world and 21st within Asia. The population is relatively stable with an annual growth rate of 0.3%, while the density is 221.4 people per km² (573.4 sq mi).

North Korea maintains a literacy rate of 100%, which is the highest ranking globally out of 170 countries. This reflects the state's emphasis on mandatory primary and secondary education for all citizens. Education is conducted entirely in Korean and is strictly controlled by the government to align with national ideology.

According to the latest available data, the internet user rate in North Korea is 0% for the general population. This places the country at a rank of 209th out of 212 nations globally. While a domestic intranet exists for limited purposes, access to the global internet is restricted to specific institutions.

The latest data indicates that life expectancy at birth in North Korea is 73.7 years. This figure ranks the country 117th globally out of 215 nations. While health outcomes are better than in some developing regions, the nation faces ongoing challenges related to food security and the availability of modern medical technology.

The economy of North Korea is dominated by heavy industry, military production, and the mining of natural resources like iron ore and coal. Recent estimates show an unemployment rate of 3.5%, which ranks 127th among 186 countries. Approximately 64% of the population resides in urban areas to support these activities.

Korean is the official language of North Korea, and the population is almost entirely ethnically homogeneous. While the country was historically Buddhist and Confucianist, autonomous religious activities are currently almost nonexistent. Government-sponsored religious groups exist primarily to provide an illusion of religious freedom to the international community.

North Korea covers a total area of 120,538 km² (46,540 sq mi) and shares land borders with China, South Korea, and Russia. It has a coastline of 2,495 km (1,550 mi) along the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. The highest point in the country is Paektu-san, which reaches 2,744 m (9,003 ft).

The estimated 2026 population of North Korea is 26,660,553. This figure is based on a projected annual growth rate of 0.3% from the latest official 2024 population of 26,498,823. The population remains concentrated in the southern and western regions where the climate and terrain are most favorable for settlement.

North Korea is currently ranked 56th out of 215 countries and territories in the world by population. Within its own region, it ranks 21st in Asia and 4th in Eastern Asia. This makes it a mid-sized nation, with a population approximately half that of South Korea.

The population of North Korea is currently growing, but at a very slow pace of approximately 0.3% per year. This rate has declined significantly since the late 20th century due to falling fertility rates and economic challenges. Recent government policies have focused on reversing this trend to prevent future population decline.

The current fertility rate in North Korea is 1.78 births per woman according to latest available data. This is below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. The decline is largely driven by urban economic pressures, although the rate remains higher than that of many neighboring East Asian countries.

The estimated current population density of North Korea is 221.4 people per km² (573.4 people per sq mi). The population is not evenly distributed across the total area of 120,538 km² (46,540 sq mi), as the rugged mountainous interior is sparsely populated compared to the western plains and coastal cities.

Recent data indicates that 63.86% of the North Korean population lives in urban areas. Pyongyang is the most urbanized and populous city, followed by other major industrial centers like Hamhung and Chongjin. Urbanization was most rapid during the post-war industrialization period and has since stabilized.

On an average day in North Korea, there are approximately 933 births and 716 deaths. This results in a net daily population increase of about 221 people. These figures reflect the current balance between a declining birth rate and a stable death rate in a demographic transition phase.