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North Korea · Quality of life

Human development, happiness, safety, access and environment.

14 indicators · 9 with data

Longevity

Life expectancy

years

119th of 217 · 17th in East Asia & Pacific
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Life expectancyNorth Korea's life expectancy rose from 60.8 yrs in 1995 to 73.7 yrs in 2024.19952000200520102015202055606570758073.7 yrs

North Korea's life expectancy rose from 60.8 yrs in 1995 to 73.7 yrs in 2024.

Healthy life expectancy at birth

years

61st of 185 · 10th in East Asia & Pacific
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Healthy life expectancy at birthNorth Korea's healthy life expectancy at birth rose from 55.9 yrs in 2000 to 64.7 yrs in 2021.200020052010201520205456586062646664.7 yrs

North Korea's healthy life expectancy at birth rose from 55.9 yrs in 2000 to 64.7 yrs in 2021.

Air

Air pollution (PM2.5)

micrograms per m³

126th of 200 · 25th in East Asia & Pacific
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Air pollution (PM2.5)North Korea's air pollution (pm2.5) fell from 25.4 in 1994 to 21.8 in 2023.19952000200520102015202020253021.8

North Korea's air pollution (pm2.5) fell from 25.4 in 1994 to 21.8 in 2023.

Access

Safe drinking water

% of population

93rd of 149 · 14th in East Asia & Pacific
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Safe drinking waterNorth Korea's safe drinking water fell from 69.0 % in 2000 to 66.6 % in 2023.2000200520102015202066%67%68%69%66.6 %

North Korea's safe drinking water fell from 69.0 % in 2000 to 66.6 % in 2023.

Access to electricity (% of population)

% of population

185th of 215 · 35th in East Asia & Pacific
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Access to electricity (% of population)North Korea's access to electricity (% of population) rose from 26.0 % in 2009 to 61.4 % in 2024.2010201520200%20%40%60%61.4 %

North Korea's access to electricity (% of population) rose from 26.0 % in 2009 to 61.4 % in 2024.

Adoption

Internet users

% of population

198th of 198 · 31st in East Asia & Pacific*
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Internet usersNorth Korea's internet users was 0.0 % in 1990 and 0.0 % in 2004.19901992199419961998200020022004-1%-0.5%0%0.5%1%0.0 %

North Korea's internet users was 0.0 % in 1990 and 0.0 % in 2004.

Attainment

Expected years of schooling

years

135th of 195 · 23rd in East Asia & Pacific
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Expected years of schoolingNorth Korea's expected years of schooling fell from 12.7 yrs in 2005 to 12.2 yrs in 2023.20052010201520201111.51212.51312.2 yrs

North Korea's expected years of schooling fell from 12.7 yrs in 2005 to 12.2 yrs in 2023.

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.

Gender

Women in parliament

% of seats

135th of 184 · 15th in East Asia & Pacific
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Women in parliamentNorth Korea's women in parliament fell from 20.1 % in 1997 to 17.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202516%18%20%17.6 %

North Korea's women in parliament fell from 20.1 % in 1997 to 17.6 % in 2025.

›No data available (5)

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

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