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Bhutan vs North Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a population of 792K (ranked 163/197), compared with 26.5M in North Korea (ranked 56/197). Bhutan's land area is 14,726 sq mi versus 46,491 sq mi for North Korea (ranked 132nd vs. 97th).

By GDP, Bhutan ranks 170/197 ($3.01B) and North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B). By GDP per capita, Bhutan ranks 132/197 ($3,831), while North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319).

Main facts and rankings

Bhutan North Korea
Population
803385
26659144
Population rank 163/197 57/197
GDP
$3.01B
2023
$34.9B
2024
GDP rank 170/197 106/197
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$1,319
2024
GDP per capita rank 132/197 168/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$1,700
2015
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
n/a
Government debt per person rank 87/185 n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$1,426
2026
Land area 14,726 sq mi 46,491 sq mi
Population density
54.5 ppl/mi²
2026
573 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.46
2023
1.78
2023
Median age
30.9 years
2024
37.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
73.8 years
2026
74 years
2026

Bhutan and North Korea: Comparison Charts

Bhutan and North Korea economies compared

GDP
Bhutan

North Korea
1x
Year GDP
Bhutan North Korea
2024 - $34,943,120,000
2023 $3,012,896,789 $32,155,360,000
2022 $2,898,227,744 $28,971,360,000
2021 $2,768,802,960 $32,301,720,000
2020 $2,457,604,334 $27,728,240,000
2019 $2,735,683,570 $28,222,880,000
2018 $2,583,335,722 $28,536,400,000
2017 $2,591,358,009 $29,105,440,000
2016 $2,357,504,761 $28,882,640,000
2015 $2,187,815,803 $30,723,030,000
2014 $2,089,079,571 $30,554,460,000
2013 $1,943,696,952 $30,588,922,000
2012 $1,973,387,228 $29,890,710,000
2011 $1,977,728,659 $29,005,020,000
2010 $1,708,880,730 $25,995,513,000
2009 $1,331,343,798 $23,356,470,000
2008 $1,317,517,835 -
2007 $1,255,767,964 -
2006 $942,879,879 -
2005 $860,391,000 -
2004 $735,348,490 -
2003 $651,935,430 -
2002 $559,345,264 -
2001 $496,110,226 -
2000 $460,733,418 -
1999 $399,311,200 -
1998 $363,458,381 -
1997 $352,229,077 -
1996 $303,408,346 -
1995 $290,490,984 -
1994 $258,954,708 -
1993 $225,973,693 -
1992 $240,233,531 -
1991 $240,294,286 -
1990 $287,765,007 -
1989 $264,798,626 -
1988 $272,298,067 -
1987 $242,742,766 -
1986 $191,218,115 -
1985 $163,288,815 -
1984 $160,423,494 -
1983 $156,704,290 -
1982 $141,439,317 -
1981 $139,174,178 -
1980 $128,669,201 -
1979 $105,377,995 -
1978 $94,086,228 -
1977 $97,884,434 -
1976 $88,461,263 -
1975 $86,820,762 -
1974 $92,901,784 -
1973 $78,900,289 -
1972 $70,139,867 -
1971 $66,289,450 -
1970 $61,812,113 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY

Bhutan and North Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Bhutan

North Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Bhutan North Korea
2024 - $1,319
2023 $3,831 $1,217
2022 $3,711 $1,100
2021 $3,571 $1,231
2020 $3,192 $1,061
2019 $3,577 $1,084
2018 $3,400 $1,100
2017 $3,435 $1,127
2016 $3,152 $1,124
2015 $2,954 $1,201
2014 $2,849 $1,201
2013 $2,680 $1,208
2012 $2,751 $1,186
2011 $2,788 $1,156
2010 $2,436 $1,040
2009 $1,918 $939
2008 $1,920 -
2007 $1,850 -
2006 $1,406 -
2005 $1,300 -
2004 $1,130 -
2003 $1,022 -
2002 $896 -
2001 $812 -
2000 $772 -
1999 $685 -
1998 $638 -
1997 $630 -
1996 $553 -
1995 $530 -
1994 $467 -
1993 $407 -
1992 $416 -
1991 $401 -
1990 $488 -
1989 $462 -
1988 $489 -
1987 $449 -
1986 $365 -
1985 $321 -
1984 $326 -
1983 $328 -
1982 $306 -
1981 $311 -
1980 $296.9 -
1979 $251.4 -
1978 $232.2 -
1977 $249.9 -
1976 $233.7 -
1975 $237.4 -
1974 $262.8 -
1973 $230.9 -
1972 $212.4 -
1971 $207.7 -
1970 $200.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY

Bhutan vs. North Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Bhutan

North Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Bhutan North Korea
2026 73.8 74
2025 73.5 73.9
2024 73.3 73.7
2023 73 73.6
2022 72.8 73.6
2021 72.4 73.4
2020 72.3 72.8
2019 72 72.9
2018 71.7 73
2017 71.4 73
2016 71.1 73
2015 70.8 72.8
2014 70.5 72.5
2013 70.2 71.9
2012 69.8 71.3
2011 69.3 70.8
2010 68.8 70.2
2009 68.2 69.7
2008 67.7 69.3
2007 67.2 69
2006 66.5 69.1
2005 65.9 69.2
2004 65.3 69.3
2003 64.7 69.4
2002 64 60.9
2001 63.3 60.9
2000 61.8 60.9
1999 62 60.9
1998 61.3 60.9
1997 60.6 60.9
1996 60 60.8
1995 59.3 60.8
1994 58.4 70.5
1993 57.9 70.8
1992 57.2 71
1991 56.5 70.7
1990 55.8 70.5
1989 55.1 70.3
1988 54.4 70.1
1987 53.6 69.8
1986 52.8 69.5
1985 52 69.2
1984 51.3 68.9
1983 50.6 68.5
1982 49.8 68.1
1981 49 67.7
1980 48.2 67.2
1979 47.4 66.7
1978 46.7 66.3
1977 46 65.8
1976 45.2 65.3
1975 44.5 64.8
1974 43.8 64.3
1973 43.1 63.8
1972 42.5 63.3
1971 41.8 62.7
1970 41.2 62
1969 40.6 61.4
1968 40 60.8
1967 39.4 60.1
1966 38.8 59.4
1965 38.3 58.8
1964 37.8 58.2
1963 37.4 57.6
1962 37 57
1961 36.7 56.4
1960 36.4 55.8
1959 36.1 55.2
1958 35.9 54.5
1957 35.7 53.7
1956 35.6 52.8
1955 35.5 51.8
1954 35.4 50.6
1953 35.4 40.3
1952 35.4 32.8
1951 35.3 17.7
1950 35.3 14.2

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY

Bhutan and North Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Bhutan

North Korea
1x
Year Population
Bhutan North Korea
2024 791,524 26,498,823
2023 786,385 26,418,204
2022 780,914 26,328,845
2021 775,442 26,232,534
2020 770,006 26,136,312
2019 764,824 26,037,632
2018 759,759 25,931,147
2017 754,335 25,817,709
2016 747,866 25,698,326
2015 740,618 25,575,350
2014 733,139 25,451,262
2013 725,273 25,329,451
2012 717,279 25,211,728
2011 709,377 25,097,874
2010 701,632 24,987,258
2009 693,988 24,878,332
2008 686,351 24,764,618
2007 678,641 24,646,383
2006 670,799 24,524,507
2005 661,865 24,396,433
2004 650,544 24,254,943
2003 637,663 24,090,380
2002 624,409 23,943,973
2001 610,794 23,815,358
2000 596,863 23,665,910
1999 582,579 23,497,599
1998 569,435 23,311,564
1997 558,697 23,110,830
1996 548,784 22,895,746
1995 547,989 22,669,304
1994 554,497 22,393,975
1993 554,673 22,073,352
1992 577,774 21,750,911
1991 599,784 21,428,638
1990 589,287 21,112,137
1989 573,586 20,804,367
1988 556,986 20,503,161
1987 540,557 20,205,483
1986 524,324 19,910,855
1985 508,392 19,620,388
1984 492,784 19,335,043
1983 477,460 19,054,034
1982 462,485 18,776,357
1981 447,836 18,501,295
1980 433,404 18,236,786
1979 419,200 17,983,470
1978 405,243 17,735,995
1977 391,639 17,492,798
1976 378,490 17,243,450
1975 365,791 16,971,055
1974 353,538 16,673,121
1973 341,705 16,350,367
1972 330,264 15,975,069
1971 319,211 15,572,457
1970 308,528 15,172,775
1969 298,214 14,767,615
1968 288,311 14,365,596
1967 278,852 13,958,350
1966 269,820 13,569,094
1965 261,200 13,219,369
1964 252,987 12,889,770
1963 245,156 12,567,057
1962 237,636 12,262,882
1961 230,602 11,990,713
1960 224,084 11,722,953

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Bhutan and North Korea

Fertility rate
Bhutan

North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Bhutan North Korea
2023 1.46 1.78
2022 1.48 1.8
2021 1.49 1.81
2020 1.5 1.82
2019 1.45 1.83
2018 1.52 1.83
2017 1.62 1.85
2016 1.74 1.86
2015 1.84 1.86
2014 1.92 1.87
2013 2 1.88
2012 2.07 1.88
2011 2.15 1.88
2010 2.25 1.89
2009 2.36 1.91
2008 2.48 1.97
2007 2.59 1.94
2006 2.66 1.94
2005 2.73 1.87
2004 2.78 1.9
2003 2.87 1.91
2002 3.01 1.92
2001 3.19 1.94
2000 3.38 1.94
1999 3.61 1.97
1998 3.85 1.99
1997 4.09 2.03
1996 4.37 2.09
1995 4.62 2.15
1994 4.87 2.18
1993 5.07 2.22
1992 5.27 2.29
1991 5.45 2.35
1990 5.6 2.39
1989 5.76 2.41
1988 5.88 2.47
1987 6 2.53
1986 6.1 2.59
1985 6.18 2.65
1984 6.26 2.71
1983 6.34 2.78
1982 6.4 2.85
1981 6.46 2.92
1980 6.51 2.84
1979 6.55 2.85
1978 6.58 2.79
1977 6.61 2.77
1976 6.62 2.84
1975 6.62 3.05
1974 6.62 3.14
1973 6.63 3.35
1972 6.64 3.89
1971 6.64 3.74
1970 6.65 3.85
1969 6.66 3.86
1968 6.66 3.87
1967 6.67 4.05
1966 6.67 3.71
1965 6.68 3.56
1964 6.68 3.55
1963 6.69 3.63
1962 6.69 3.41
1961 6.7 3.26
1960 6.7 3.57

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY

Bhutan and North Korea demographics compared

Median age
Bhutan

North Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Bhutan North Korea
2024 30.9 37.3
2023 30.4 37.1
2022 29.8 36.8
2021 29.2 36.6
2020 28.6 36.4
2019 28 36.2
2018 27.5 35.9
2017 26.9 35.7
2016 26.4 35.4
2015 26 35.2
2014 25.6 35
2013 25.1 34.7
2012 24.7 34.5
2011 24.4 34.3
2010 24 34
2009 23.7 33.7
2008 23.3 33.3
2007 22.9 32.9
2006 22.6 32.5
2005 22.2 32.1
2004 21.8 31.8
2003 21.3 31.4
2002 20.8 31
2001 20.4 30.5
2000 20 30.1
1999 19.8 29.6
1998 19.5 29.2
1997 19.3 28.8
1996 19.1 28.3
1995 18.9 28
1994 18.8 27.6
1993 18.7 27.2
1992 18.6 26.8
1991 18.6 26.4
1990 18.6 26
1989 18.5 25.6
1988 18.5 25.1
1987 18.5 24.8
1986 18.5 24.5
1985 18.6 24.2
1984 18.6 23.9
1983 18.7 23.5
1982 18.7 23.1
1981 18.8 22.8
1980 18.9 22.5
1979 18.9 22.2
1978 19 21.8
1977 19 21.4
1976 19.1 21.1
1975 19.1 20.9
1974 19.2 20.7
1973 19.2 20.7
1972 19.3 20.9
1971 19.3 21.2
1970 19.3 21.4
1969 19.3 21.4
1968 19.3 21.4
1967 19.3 21.4
1966 19.2 21.3
1965 19.1 21.2
1964 19.1 21
1963 19 20.8
1962 18.9 20.6
1961 18.9 20.2
1960 18.8 19.9

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Bhutan North Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
n/a
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.85%
2023
n/a
Armed forces personnel
6,000
2000
1,469,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.17%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
25.6%
2013
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
n/a
Economic freedom index
57.5
2026
3.1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
n/a
Personal remittances received
$110M
2024
n/a
International tourist arrivals
29,799
2020
n/a
International tourism as share of exports
10.7%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
33.7%
2014
n/a

Energy

Bhutan North Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
360 kg
2007
641 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$15.9
2007
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1.59 megatons
2024
66.2 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.01 tons
2024
2.5 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
85.1%
2022
Renewable energy use share
82.5%
2022
14.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
8.5%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
4.9%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
830 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
100%
2021
63.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
100%
2021
62.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
57.5%
2023

Society

Bhutan North Korea
% of world population
0.01%
2024
0.33%
2024
Annual migration change
+455
2025
-2,787
2025
Urban population
42.6%
2024
63.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
53.4:46.6
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.48 ft
2025
5.73 ft
2025
Average female height
5.09 ft
2025
5.29 ft
2025
Quality of life index
55.3
2026
10.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
71
2025
15
2025
Higher education index n/a
10
2026
Homicides per 100K people
2.46
2020
4.4
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
16.2
2019
24.2
2019
Visa free countries
63
2025
48
2025
Adult literacy rate
64.9%
2022
100%
2018
English speaking
75%
2025
0%
2025
People using the Internet
88.4%
2023
0%
2012

Health

Bhutan North Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$162.2
2023
n/a
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
n/a
Life expectancy
73.8 years
2026
74 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.44%
2023
n/a
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.55
2022
3.63
2017
Maternal mortality per 100K births
47
2023
67
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
23.1
2023
18
2023
Obesity rate
12.7%
2022
11.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
12%
2024
9.9%
2024
Air quality index
6
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18.7%
2022
16.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.18 liters
2020
3.87 liters
2020

Territory

Bhutan North Korea
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.08%
2026
Land area per capita
18,605 sq mi
2024
1,754 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
2,035 sq mi
2026
10,021 sq mi
2026
Forest area
10,545 sq mi
2026
23,036 sq mi
2026
Roads length
7,584 mi
2017
15,879 mi
2006

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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