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North Korea · Population & demographics

Size, growth, ages, births, deaths, urbanisation and migration.

23 indicators · 23 with data

Population

people

56th of 218 · 11th in East Asia & Pacific
PopulationNorth Korea's population rose from 22.9M in 1996 to 26.6M in 2025.20002005201020152020202522M23M24M25M26M27M26.6M

North Korea's population rose from 22.9M in 1996 to 26.6M in 2025.

Population growth

annual %

155th of 217 · 24th in East Asia & Pacific
Population growthNorth Korea's population growth fell from 1.0 % in 1996 to 0.3 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%0.2%0.4%0.6%0.8%1%0.3 %

North Korea's population growth fell from 1.0 % in 1996 to 0.3 % in 2025.

Population density

people per km² of land area

62nd of 215 · 12th in East Asia & Pacific
Population densityNorth Korea's population density rose from 186.0 in 1994 to 219.4 in 2023.199520002005201020152020180190200210220230219.4

North Korea's population density rose from 186.0 in 1994 to 219.4 in 2023.

Population, female (% of total)

% of population

99th of 217 · 10th in East Asia & Pacific
Population, female (% of total)North Korea's population, female (% of total) fell from 51.3 % in 1996 to 50.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%51%51%51%51%51%50.5 %

North Korea's population, female (% of total) fell from 51.3 % in 1996 to 50.5 % in 2025.

Urbanisation

% of population

109th of 217 · 20th in East Asia & Pacific
UrbanisationNorth Korea's urbanisation rose from 59.2 % in 1996 to 64.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202558%60%62%64%64.2 %

North Korea's urbanisation rose from 59.2 % in 1996 to 64.2 % in 2025.

Urban population

people

51st of 217 · 10th in East Asia & Pacific
Urban populationNorth Korea's urban population rose from 13.5M in 1996 to 17.1M in 2025.20002005201020152020202513M14M15M16M17M18M17.1M

North Korea's urban population rose from 13.5M in 1996 to 17.1M in 2025.

Rural population

people

58th of 217 · 9th in East Asia & Pacific
Rural populationNorth Korea's rural population rose from 9.35M in 1996 to 9.52M in 2025.2000200520102015202020259.4M9.6M9.8M10M9.52M

North Korea's rural population rose from 9.35M in 1996 to 9.52M in 2025.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

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