North Korea: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to North Korea — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
25,549,819
#52 of 197 countries
Area
120,538 km²
#102 of 248 countries
Density
212.0 / km²
#66 of 245 countries

North Korea has a population of 25,549,819 spread across 120,538 km², giving it an average density of 212.0 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
36.2
Life Expectancy
73.5 yrs
Government
dictatorship, single-party communist state

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. North Korea is classified as a low income country by the World Bank.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$600
Unemployment
2.9%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors.

Air Passengers
3,690
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — North Korea has 3.63 physicians per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
3.63/1k
Hospital Beds
12.8/1k
Infant Mortality
14.5/1k
Immunization
99%
Safe Drinking Water
93.9%
Basic Sanitation
84.8%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. There are 24 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Mobile Subs
24/100
Electricity Access
57.5%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data