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Last update: January, 22 2021

North Korea

flag of North Korea
Government
NameDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea
Korean조선민주주의인민공화국
Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk
Government typedictatorship – single-party state
CapitalPyongyang(3,255,288 (2008))
CurrencyKorean People’s won (KPW)
People
Population (2020)25,778,815 (55th)
Density of population212 P/km2 (65th)
NationalityKorean
Official languages
Korean
Ethnic groups
racially homogeneous (only small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese)
Religions
traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom
Life expectancy (2020)
Male67.7 years
Female75.6 years
Total population71.6 years (161st)
Homicides
n.a.
Geography
Land area120,408 km2
water area130 km2
total area120,538 km2 (100th)
Mean elevation600 m
Lowest point
Sea of Japan0 m
Highest point
Paektu-san2,744 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land21.8%
Arable land19.5%
Permanent crops1.9%
Permanent pasture0.4%
Forest46%
Other32.2%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)62.4%
Rate of urbanization0.82% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2014)14 million  (41st)
Labor force by occupation (2008)
Agriculture37%
Industry and services63%
Unemployment rate (2013)25.6% (197th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2014)
Total$40 billion
Per capita$1,800
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2017)
Total$30 billion
Per capita$1,300
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture22.5%
Industry47.6%
Services29.9%
Exports (2017)$4.582 billion
Exports partners (2017)
China86.3%
Imports (2018)$2.32 billion (160th)
Imports partners (2017)
China91.9%

North Korea on the world map

North Korea on the world map

North Korea top 10 largest cities (2008)

  1. Pyongyang (3,255,288)
  2. Hamhung (768,551)
  3. Chongjin (667,929)
  4. Nampo (366,815)
  5. Wonsan (363,127)
  6. Sinuiju (359,341)
  7. Tanchon (345,875)
  8. Kaechon (319,554)
  9. Kaesong (308,440)
  10. Sariwon (307,764)

Demography

Population pyramid

Population pyramid of North Korea (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 20.47% (male 2,677,578/female 2,571,118)
  • 15-24 years: 14.68% (male 1,894,091/female 1,869,799)
  • 25-54 years: 44% (male 5,659,446/female 5,624,034)
  • 55-64 years: 11.2% (male 1,369,199/female 1,503,086)
  • 65 years and over: 9.65% (male 859,151/female 1,615,964)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

rice, corn, potatoes, wheat, soybeans, pulses, beef, pork, eggs, fruit, nuts

Industries:

military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism

Exports – commodities:

minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), textiles, agricultural and fishery products

Imports – commodities:

petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain

Time zone and current time in North Korea

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in North Korea

Sources: