China has a population of 1.41B (ranked 2/197), compared with 26.5M in North Korea (ranked 56/197). China's land area is 3,624,808 sq mi versus 46,491 sq mi for North Korea (ranked 2nd vs. 97th).
By GDP, China ranks 2/197 ($18.7T) and North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B). By GDP per capita, China ranks 76/197 ($13,303), while North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319).
Main facts and rankings
China
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
1402578808
|
26659144
|
| Population rank | 2/197 | 57/197 |
| GDP |
$18.7T
2024 |
$34.9B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 2/197 | 106/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$13,303
2024 |
$1,319
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 76/197 | 168/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$27,105
2024 |
$1,700
2015 |
| Government debt |
$16.6T
2024 |
n/a |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
88.3%
2024 |
n/a |
| Government debt per person |
$11,749
2024 |
n/a |
| Government debt per person rank | 47/185 | n/a |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$9,826
2026 |
$1,426
2026 |
| Land area | 3,624,808 sq mi | 46,491 sq mi |
| Population density |
387 ppl/mi²
2026 |
573 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1
2023 |
1.78
2023 |
| Median age |
40.6 years
2024 |
37.3 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
79 years
2026 |
74 years
2026 |
China and North Korea: Comparison Charts
China and North Korea economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | $18,743,803,170,827 | $34,943,120,000 |
| 2023 | $18,270,356,654,533 | $32,155,360,000 |
| 2022 | $18,316,765,021,690 | $28,971,360,000 |
| 2021 | $18,201,698,719,564 | $32,301,720,000 |
| 2020 | $14,996,414,166,715 | $27,728,240,000 |
| 2019 | $14,560,167,101,283 | $28,222,880,000 |
| 2018 | $14,147,765,772,964 | $28,536,400,000 |
| 2017 | $12,537,559,062,283 | $29,105,440,000 |
| 2016 | $11,456,024,084,962 | $28,882,640,000 |
| 2015 | $11,280,814,787,469 | $30,723,030,000 |
| 2014 | $10,674,533,168,257 | $30,554,460,000 |
| 2013 | $9,743,124,247,267 | $30,588,922,000 |
| 2012 | $8,673,664,713,189 | $29,890,710,000 |
| 2011 | $7,671,757,207,851 | $29,005,020,000 |
| 2010 | $6,192,564,874,453 | $25,995,513,000 |
| 2009 | $5,189,577,094,998 | $23,356,470,000 |
| 2008 | $4,667,346,414,522 | - |
| 2007 | $3,604,055,822,572 | - |
| 2006 | $2,791,498,472,804 | - |
| 2005 | $2,317,551,298,052 | - |
| 2004 | $1,984,196,551,300 | - |
| 2003 | $1,683,903,309,844 | - |
| 2002 | $1,489,821,682,051 | - |
| 2001 | $1,355,036,590,252 | - |
| 2000 | $1,223,754,919,971 | - |
| 1999 | $1,103,843,203,576 | - |
| 1998 | $1,037,134,141,760 | - |
| 1997 | $967,753,570,435 | - |
| 1996 | $868,523,936,530 | - |
| 1995 | $738,190,896,228 | - |
| 1994 | $566,929,539,493 | - |
| 1993 | $446,557,291,212 | - |
| 1992 | $428,502,354,788 | - |
| 1991 | $384,510,452,962 | - |
| 1990 | $361,560,229,446 | - |
| 1989 | $348,380,566,802 | - |
| 1988 | $312,888,888,889 | - |
| 1987 | $273,455,156,951 | - |
| 1986 | $301,310,144,928 | - |
| 1985 | $310,064,625,850 | - |
| 1984 | $260,442,857,143 | - |
| 1983 | $231,130,268,199 | - |
| 1982 | $205,480,916,031 | - |
| 1981 | $196,218,253,968 | - |
| 1980 | $191,487,500,000 | - |
| 1979 | $178,573,913,043 | - |
| 1978 | $149,788,617,886 | - |
| 1977 | $175,226,595,860 | - |
| 1976 | $154,196,810,059 | - |
| 1975 | $163,687,619,736 | - |
| 1974 | $144,418,433,058 | - |
| 1973 | $138,764,340,892 | - |
| 1972 | $113,871,930,714 | - |
| 1971 | $99,959,013,880 | - |
| 1970 | $92,752,930,873 | - |
| 1969 | $79,847,786,729 | - |
| 1968 | $70,980,323,819 | - |
| 1967 | $73,011,350,596 | - |
| 1966 | $76,854,053,259 | - |
| 1965 | $70,565,994,356 | - |
| 1964 | $59,821,862,703 | - |
| 1963 | $50,812,227,919 | - |
| 1962 | $47,310,737,754 | - |
| 1961 | $50,162,299,350 | - |
| 1960 | $59,846,235,025 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/china/north-korea | CC BY 
China and North Korea economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | $13,303 | $1,319 |
| 2023 | $12,951 | $1,217 |
| 2022 | $12,971 | $1,100 |
| 2021 | $12,887 | $1,231 |
| 2020 | $10,627 | $1,061 |
| 2019 | $10,343 | $1,084 |
| 2018 | $10,086 | $1,100 |
| 2017 | $8,980 | $1,127 |
| 2016 | $8,255 | $1,124 |
| 2015 | $8,175 | $1,201 |
| 2014 | $7,781 | $1,201 |
| 2013 | $7,147 | $1,208 |
| 2012 | $6,405 | $1,186 |
| 2011 | $5,704 | $1,156 |
| 2010 | $4,629 | $1,040 |
| 2009 | $3,898 | $939 |
| 2008 | $3,523 | - |
| 2007 | $2,735 | - |
| 2006 | $2,129 | - |
| 2005 | $1,778 | - |
| 2004 | $1,531 | - |
| 2003 | $1,307 | - |
| 2002 | $1,164 | - |
| 2001 | $1,065 | - |
| 2000 | $969 | - |
| 1999 | $881 | - |
| 1998 | $835 | - |
| 1997 | $787 | - |
| 1996 | $713 | - |
| 1995 | $613 | - |
| 1994 | $476 | - |
| 1993 | $379 | - |
| 1992 | $368 | - |
| 1991 | $334 | - |
| 1990 | $319 | - |
| 1989 | $311 | - |
| 1988 | $284 | - |
| 1987 | $252.3 | - |
| 1986 | $282.4 | - |
| 1985 | $295 | - |
| 1984 | $251.2 | - |
| 1983 | $225.9 | - |
| 1982 | $203.7 | - |
| 1981 | $197.4 | - |
| 1980 | $195.1 | - |
| 1979 | $184.3 | - |
| 1978 | $156.7 | - |
| 1977 | $185.7 | - |
| 1976 | $165.7 | - |
| 1975 | $178.6 | - |
| 1974 | $160.4 | - |
| 1973 | $157.3 | - |
| 1972 | $132.1 | - |
| 1971 | $118.8 | - |
| 1970 | $113.3 | - |
| 1969 | $100.3 | - |
| 1968 | $91.6 | - |
| 1967 | $96.8 | - |
| 1966 | $104.5 | - |
| 1965 | $98.7 | - |
| 1964 | $85.7 | - |
| 1963 | $74.5 | - |
| 1962 | $71.1 | - |
| 1961 | $76 | - |
| 1960 | $89.7 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/china/north-korea | CC BY
China vs. North Korea life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2026 | 79 | 74 |
| 2025 | 78.4 | 73.9 |
| 2024 | 78 | 73.7 |
| 2023 | 78 | 73.6 |
| 2022 | 78.2 | 73.6 |
| 2021 | 78.1 | 73.4 |
| 2020 | 78 | 72.8 |
| 2019 | 77.9 | 72.9 |
| 2018 | 77.7 | 73 |
| 2017 | 77.2 | 73 |
| 2016 | 77.2 | 73 |
| 2015 | 77 | 72.8 |
| 2014 | 76.7 | 72.5 |
| 2013 | 76.5 | 71.9 |
| 2012 | 76.2 | 71.3 |
| 2011 | 75.9 | 70.8 |
| 2010 | 75.7 | 70.2 |
| 2009 | 75.3 | 69.7 |
| 2008 | 74.8 | 69.3 |
| 2007 | 74.8 | 69 |
| 2006 | 74.4 | 69.1 |
| 2005 | 74.1 | 69.2 |
| 2004 | 73.7 | 69.3 |
| 2003 | 73.4 | 69.4 |
| 2002 | 73 | 60.9 |
| 2001 | 72.7 | 60.9 |
| 2000 | 72.3 | 60.9 |
| 1999 | 72 | 60.9 |
| 1998 | 71.6 | 60.9 |
| 1997 | 71.2 | 60.9 |
| 1996 | 70.8 | 60.8 |
| 1995 | 70.4 | 60.8 |
| 1994 | 69.8 | 70.5 |
| 1993 | 69.5 | 70.8 |
| 1992 | 69.1 | 71 |
| 1991 | 68.6 | 70.7 |
| 1990 | 68.2 | 70.5 |
| 1989 | 67.9 | 70.3 |
| 1988 | 67.6 | 70.1 |
| 1987 | 67.3 | 69.8 |
| 1986 | 66.9 | 69.5 |
| 1985 | 66.5 | 69.2 |
| 1984 | 66.1 | 68.9 |
| 1983 | 65.7 | 68.5 |
| 1982 | 65.2 | 68.1 |
| 1981 | 64.8 | 67.7 |
| 1980 | 64.2 | 67.2 |
| 1979 | 63.7 | 66.7 |
| 1978 | 63.1 | 66.3 |
| 1977 | 62.5 | 65.8 |
| 1976 | 61.2 | 65.3 |
| 1975 | 61 | 64.8 |
| 1974 | 60.2 | 64.3 |
| 1973 | 59.5 | 63.8 |
| 1972 | 58.6 | 63.3 |
| 1971 | 57.7 | 62.7 |
| 1970 | 56.8 | 62 |
| 1969 | 56 | 61.4 |
| 1968 | 55.2 | 60.8 |
| 1967 | 54.4 | 60.1 |
| 1966 | 53.7 | 59.4 |
| 1965 | 53 | 58.8 |
| 1964 | 52.3 | 58.2 |
| 1963 | 51.7 | 57.6 |
| 1962 | 51 | 57 |
| 1961 | 40.2 | 56.4 |
| 1960 | 33.4 | 55.8 |
| 1959 | 40.2 | 55.2 |
| 1958 | 48.8 | 54.5 |
| 1957 | 48.4 | 53.7 |
| 1956 | 47.8 | 52.8 |
| 1955 | 47.2 | 51.8 |
| 1954 | 46.8 | 50.6 |
| 1953 | 45.9 | 40.3 |
| 1952 | 45.3 | 32.8 |
| 1951 | 44.6 | 17.7 |
| 1950 | 43.8 | 14.2 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/china/north-korea | CC BY
China and North Korea population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 1,408,975,000 | 26,498,823 |
| 2023 | 1,410,710,000 | 26,418,204 |
| 2022 | 1,412,175,000 | 26,328,845 |
| 2021 | 1,412,360,000 | 26,232,534 |
| 2020 | 1,411,100,000 | 26,136,312 |
| 2019 | 1,407,745,000 | 26,037,632 |
| 2018 | 1,402,760,000 | 25,931,147 |
| 2017 | 1,396,215,000 | 25,817,709 |
| 2016 | 1,387,790,000 | 25,698,326 |
| 2015 | 1,379,860,000 | 25,575,350 |
| 2014 | 1,371,860,000 | 25,451,262 |
| 2013 | 1,363,240,000 | 25,329,451 |
| 2012 | 1,354,190,000 | 25,211,728 |
| 2011 | 1,345,035,000 | 25,097,874 |
| 2010 | 1,337,705,000 | 24,987,258 |
| 2009 | 1,331,260,000 | 24,878,332 |
| 2008 | 1,324,655,000 | 24,764,618 |
| 2007 | 1,317,885,000 | 24,646,383 |
| 2006 | 1,311,020,000 | 24,524,507 |
| 2005 | 1,303,720,000 | 24,396,433 |
| 2004 | 1,296,075,000 | 24,254,943 |
| 2003 | 1,288,400,000 | 24,090,380 |
| 2002 | 1,280,400,000 | 23,943,973 |
| 2001 | 1,271,850,000 | 23,815,358 |
| 2000 | 1,262,645,000 | 23,665,910 |
| 1999 | 1,252,735,000 | 23,497,599 |
| 1998 | 1,241,935,000 | 23,311,564 |
| 1997 | 1,230,075,000 | 23,110,830 |
| 1996 | 1,217,550,000 | 22,895,746 |
| 1995 | 1,204,855,000 | 22,669,304 |
| 1994 | 1,191,835,000 | 22,393,975 |
| 1993 | 1,178,440,000 | 22,073,352 |
| 1992 | 1,164,970,000 | 21,750,911 |
| 1991 | 1,150,780,000 | 21,428,638 |
| 1990 | 1,135,185,000 | 21,112,137 |
| 1989 | 1,118,650,000 | 20,804,367 |
| 1988 | 1,101,630,000 | 20,503,161 |
| 1987 | 1,084,035,000 | 20,205,483 |
| 1986 | 1,066,790,000 | 19,910,855 |
| 1985 | 1,051,040,000 | 19,620,388 |
| 1984 | 1,036,825,000 | 19,335,043 |
| 1983 | 1,023,310,000 | 19,054,034 |
| 1982 | 1,008,630,000 | 18,776,357 |
| 1981 | 993,885,000 | 18,501,295 |
| 1980 | 981,235,000 | 18,236,786 |
| 1979 | 969,005,000 | 17,983,470 |
| 1978 | 956,165,000 | 17,735,995 |
| 1977 | 943,455,000 | 17,492,798 |
| 1976 | 930,685,000 | 17,243,450 |
| 1975 | 916,395,000 | 16,971,055 |
| 1974 | 900,350,000 | 16,673,121 |
| 1973 | 881,940,000 | 16,350,367 |
| 1972 | 862,030,000 | 15,975,069 |
| 1971 | 841,105,000 | 15,572,457 |
| 1970 | 818,315,000 | 15,172,775 |
| 1969 | 796,025,000 | 14,767,615 |
| 1968 | 774,510,000 | 14,365,596 |
| 1967 | 754,550,000 | 13,958,350 |
| 1966 | 735,400,000 | 13,569,094 |
| 1965 | 715,185,000 | 13,219,369 |
| 1964 | 698,355,000 | 12,889,770 |
| 1963 | 682,335,000 | 12,567,057 |
| 1962 | 665,770,000 | 12,262,882 |
| 1961 | 660,330,000 | 11,990,713 |
| 1960 | 667,070,000 | 11,722,953 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/china/north-korea | CC BY
Fertility rates in China and North Korea
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2023 | 1 | 1.78 |
| 2022 | 1.03 | 1.8 |
| 2021 | 1.12 | 1.81 |
| 2020 | 1.24 | 1.82 |
| 2019 | 1.5 | 1.83 |
| 2018 | 1.54 | 1.83 |
| 2017 | 1.8 | 1.85 |
| 2016 | 1.77 | 1.86 |
| 2015 | 1.67 | 1.86 |
| 2014 | 1.77 | 1.87 |
| 2013 | 1.71 | 1.88 |
| 2012 | 1.8 | 1.88 |
| 2011 | 1.67 | 1.88 |
| 2010 | 1.69 | 1.89 |
| 2009 | 1.71 | 1.91 |
| 2008 | 1.7 | 1.97 |
| 2007 | 1.67 | 1.94 |
| 2006 | 1.64 | 1.94 |
| 2005 | 1.62 | 1.87 |
| 2004 | 1.61 | 1.9 |
| 2003 | 1.57 | 1.91 |
| 2002 | 1.57 | 1.92 |
| 2001 | 1.56 | 1.94 |
| 2000 | 1.63 | 1.94 |
| 1999 | 1.53 | 1.97 |
| 1998 | 1.52 | 1.99 |
| 1997 | 1.53 | 2.03 |
| 1996 | 1.55 | 2.09 |
| 1995 | 1.59 | 2.15 |
| 1994 | 1.63 | 2.18 |
| 1993 | 1.69 | 2.22 |
| 1992 | 1.78 | 2.29 |
| 1991 | 1.93 | 2.35 |
| 1990 | 2.51 | 2.39 |
| 1989 | 2.52 | 2.41 |
| 1988 | 2.54 | 2.47 |
| 1987 | 2.76 | 2.53 |
| 1986 | 2.72 | 2.59 |
| 1985 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| 1984 | 2.61 | 2.71 |
| 1983 | 2.56 | 2.78 |
| 1982 | 2.97 | 2.85 |
| 1981 | 2.79 | 2.92 |
| 1980 | 2.74 | 2.84 |
| 1979 | 2.75 | 2.85 |
| 1978 | 2.72 | 2.79 |
| 1977 | 2.84 | 2.77 |
| 1976 | 3.24 | 2.84 |
| 1975 | 3.57 | 3.05 |
| 1974 | 4.17 | 3.14 |
| 1973 | 4.73 | 3.35 |
| 1972 | 5.11 | 3.89 |
| 1971 | 5.52 | 3.74 |
| 1970 | 6.09 | 3.85 |
| 1969 | 6.18 | 3.86 |
| 1968 | 6.51 | 3.87 |
| 1967 | 5.81 | 4.05 |
| 1966 | 6.31 | 3.71 |
| 1965 | 6.61 | 3.56 |
| 1964 | 6.67 | 3.55 |
| 1963 | 7.51 | 3.63 |
| 1962 | 6.09 | 3.41 |
| 1961 | 3.86 | 3.26 |
| 1960 | 4.45 | 3.57 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/china/north-korea | CC BY
China and North Korea demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 40.6 | 37.3 |
| 2023 | 40.1 | 37.1 |
| 2022 | 39.6 | 36.8 |
| 2021 | 39 | 36.6 |
| 2020 | 38.5 | 36.4 |
| 2019 | 38.1 | 36.2 |
| 2018 | 37.7 | 35.9 |
| 2017 | 37.4 | 35.7 |
| 2016 | 37.1 | 35.4 |
| 2015 | 36.7 | 35.2 |
| 2014 | 36.3 | 35 |
| 2013 | 36 | 34.7 |
| 2012 | 35.7 | 34.5 |
| 2011 | 35.5 | 34.3 |
| 2010 | 35.1 | 34 |
| 2009 | 34.7 | 33.7 |
| 2008 | 34.2 | 33.3 |
| 2007 | 33.7 | 32.9 |
| 2006 | 33.1 | 32.5 |
| 2005 | 32.6 | 32.1 |
| 2004 | 32.1 | 31.8 |
| 2003 | 31.6 | 31.4 |
| 2002 | 31.1 | 31 |
| 2001 | 30.5 | 30.5 |
| 2000 | 30 | 30.1 |
| 1999 | 29.4 | 29.6 |
| 1998 | 28.8 | 29.2 |
| 1997 | 28.3 | 28.8 |
| 1996 | 27.8 | 28.3 |
| 1995 | 27.2 | 28 |
| 1994 | 26.6 | 27.6 |
| 1993 | 26.1 | 27.2 |
| 1992 | 25.6 | 26.8 |
| 1991 | 25.1 | 26.4 |
| 1990 | 24.7 | 26 |
| 1989 | 24.4 | 25.6 |
| 1988 | 23.9 | 25.1 |
| 1987 | 23.6 | 24.8 |
| 1986 | 23.4 | 24.5 |
| 1985 | 23.2 | 24.2 |
| 1984 | 23 | 23.9 |
| 1983 | 22.6 | 23.5 |
| 1982 | 22.1 | 23.1 |
| 1981 | 21.8 | 22.8 |
| 1980 | 21.6 | 22.5 |
| 1979 | 21.4 | 22.2 |
| 1978 | 21.2 | 21.8 |
| 1977 | 20.8 | 21.4 |
| 1976 | 20.4 | 21.1 |
| 1975 | 20.1 | 20.9 |
| 1974 | 19.7 | 20.7 |
| 1973 | 19.5 | 20.7 |
| 1972 | 19.3 | 20.9 |
| 1971 | 19.2 | 21.2 |
| 1970 | 19.1 | 21.4 |
| 1969 | 19.1 | 21.4 |
| 1968 | 19.2 | 21.4 |
| 1967 | 19.2 | 21.4 |
| 1966 | 19.3 | 21.3 |
| 1965 | 19.6 | 21.2 |
| 1964 | 19.9 | 21 |
| 1963 | 20.4 | 20.8 |
| 1962 | 21 | 20.6 |
| 1961 | 21.1 | 20.2 |
| 1960 | 20.9 | 19.9 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/china/north-korea | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for China and North Korea.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$19.3T
2024 |
n/a |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
32.9%
2024 |
n/a |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
4%
2023 |
n/a |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
1.71%
2024 |
n/a |
| Armed forces personnel |
2,535,000
2020 |
1,469,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-7.34%
2024 |
n/a |
| Unemployment rate |
5.11%
2021 |
25.6%
2013 |
| Services, % of GDP |
56.7%
2024 |
n/a |
| Industry, % of GDP |
36.5%
2024 |
n/a |
| Economic freedom index |
48.3
2026 |
3.1
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
28.4%
2022 |
n/a |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.1%
2022 |
n/a |
| Number of millionaires |
6,327,000
2025 |
n/a |
| Percentage of millionaires |
0.57%
2025 |
n/a |
| Number of billionaires |
450
2025 |
n/a |
| Percentage of billionaires |
0.00004%
2025 |
n/a |
| Listed domestic companies |
11,231
2024 |
n/a |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$11.8T
2024 |
n/a |
| Total reserves including gold |
$3.46T
2024 |
n/a |
| Personal remittances received |
$31.4B
2024 |
n/a |
| International tourist arrivals |
30,402,000
2020 |
n/a |
| International tourism as share of exports |
4.59%
2004 |
n/a |
| Banked people share |
89.4%
2024 |
n/a |
Energy
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
2,851 kg
2023 |
641 kg
2022 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$8.83
2023 |
n/a |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
13,125 megatons
2024 |
66.2 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
9.32 tons
2024 |
2.5 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
86.7%
2022 |
85.1%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
15.2%
2021 |
14.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
9.76%
2023 |
8.5%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share |
24%
2023 |
4.9%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
6,524 kWh
2023 |
830 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
28.4%
2021 |
63.2%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
13.5%
2023 |
62.7%
2022 |
| Nuclear share |
4.55%
2023 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
100%
2023 |
57.5%
2023 |
Society
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
17.3%
2024 |
0.33%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-268,126
2025 |
-2,787
2025 |
| Urban population |
65.9%
2024 |
63.9%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
50.9:49.1
2024 |
49.5:50.5
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.76 ft
2025 |
5.73 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.36 ft
2025 |
5.29 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
52.3
2026 |
10.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
43
2025 |
15
2025 |
| Higher education index |
87
2026 |
10
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
0.5
2020 |
4.4
2015 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
17.4
2019 |
24.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
92
2025 |
48
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
96.7%
2020 |
100%
2018 |
| English speaking |
0.7%
2023 |
0%
2025 |
| People using the Internet |
92%
2024 |
0%
2012 |
Health
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$763
2023 |
n/a |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$245.6
2023 |
n/a |
| Life expectancy |
79 years
2026 |
74 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
0.005%
2023 |
n/a |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
3.11
2022 |
3.63
2017 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
16
2023 |
67
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
6.2
2023 |
18
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
8.37%
2022 |
11.1%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
11.9%
2024 |
9.9%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
14
2026 |
42
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
23.4%
2022 |
16.5%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
4.58 liters
2020 |
3.87 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
China
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
6.3%
2026 |
0.08%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
2,573 sq mi
2024 |
1,754 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
2,009,326 sq mi
2026 |
10,021 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
871,112 sq mi
2026 |
23,036 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
3,411,576 mi
2024 |
15,879 mi
2006 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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