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North Korea · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 11 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

62nd of 185 · 18th in East Asia & Pacific
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UnemploymentNorth Korea's unemployment rose from 3.2 % in 1996 to 3.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020253%3%4%4%3.5 %

North Korea's unemployment rose from 3.2 % in 1996 to 3.5 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

49th of 183 · 14th in East Asia & Pacific
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Youth unemploymentNorth Korea's youth unemployment rose from 6.6 % in 1996 to 7.9 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020257%7%8%8%9%9%7.9 %

North Korea's youth unemployment rose from 6.6 % in 1996 to 7.9 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

7th of 182 · 3rd in East Asia & Pacific
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ParticipationNorth Korea's participation rose from 82.1 % in 1996 to 82.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202581%81%82%82%83%82.2 %

North Korea's participation rose from 82.1 % in 1996 to 82.2 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

6th of 182 · 2nd in East Asia & Pacific
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)North Korea's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 77.8 % in 1996 to 77.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202576%77%77%78%78%79%77.7 %

North Korea's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 77.8 % in 1996 to 77.7 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

8th of 182 · 3rd in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)North Korea's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 79.5 % in 1996 to 79.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202578%78%79%79%80%80%79.2 %

North Korea's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 79.5 % in 1996 to 79.2 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

38th of 182 · 10th in East Asia & Pacific
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Labour force, totalNorth Korea's labour force, total rose from 13.9M in 1996 to 17.7M in 2025.20002005201020152020202513M14M15M16M17M18M17.7M

North Korea's labour force, total rose from 13.9M in 1996 to 17.7M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

42nd of 182 · 6th in East Asia & Pacific
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Self-employed (% of total employment)North Korea's self-employed (% of total employment) rose from 61.8 % in 1996 to 62.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202561%62%62%63%63%62.1 %

North Korea's self-employed (% of total employment) rose from 61.8 % in 1996 to 62.1 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

137th of 182 · 23rd in East Asia & Pacific
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)North Korea's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 56.5 % in 1996 to 56.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202556%57%57%58%58%56.8 %

North Korea's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 56.5 % in 1996 to 56.8 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

19th of 182 · 2nd in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)North Korea's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 55.5 % in 1996 to 54.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202552%53%54%55%56%57%54.1 %

North Korea's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 55.5 % in 1996 to 54.1 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

61st of 182 · 10th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)North Korea's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 27.3 % in 1996 to 22.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202522%24%26%28%22.4 %

North Korea's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 27.3 % in 1996 to 22.4 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

176th of 182 · 29th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in services (% of total employment)North Korea's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 17.2 % in 1996 to 23.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202516%18%20%22%24%26%23.5 %

North Korea's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 17.2 % in 1996 to 23.5 % in 2025.

›No data available (8)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for North Korea.

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