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Iraq vs North Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a population of 46M (ranked 34/197), compared with 26.5M in North Korea (ranked 56/197). Iraq's land area is 167,619 sq mi versus 46,491 sq mi for North Korea (ranked 57th vs. 97th).

By GDP, Iraq ranks 50/197 ($280B) and North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B). By GDP per capita, Iraq ranks 113/197 ($6,074), while North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319).

Main facts and rankings

Iraq North Korea
Population
48289334
26659144
Population rank 33/197 57/197
GDP
$280B
2024
$34.9B
2024
GDP rank 50/197 106/197
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$1,319
2024
GDP per capita rank 113/197 168/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$1,700
2015
Government debt
$130B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank 105/185 n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$1,426
2026
Land area 167,619 sq mi 46,491 sq mi
Population density
286.5 ppl/mi²
2026
573 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.25
2023
1.78
2023
Median age
21.6 years
2024
37.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
72.6 years
2026
74 years
2026

Iraq and North Korea: Comparison Charts

Iraq and North Korea economies compared

GDP
Iraq

North Korea
1x
Year GDP
Iraq North Korea
2024 $279,641,257,615 $34,943,120,000
2023 $268,881,051,644 $32,155,360,000
2022 $287,372,232,138 $28,971,360,000
2021 $209,691,945,713 $32,301,720,000
2020 $180,898,797,517 $27,728,240,000
2019 $233,636,097,800 $28,222,880,000
2018 $227,367,469,034 $28,536,400,000
2017 $187,217,660,051 $29,105,440,000
2016 $166,743,557,748 $28,882,640,000
2015 $166,774,104,959 $30,723,030,000
2014 $228,415,656,175 $30,554,460,000
2013 $234,637,675,129 $30,588,922,000
2012 $218,002,476,129 $29,890,710,000
2011 $185,749,664,444 $29,005,020,000
2010 $138,516,722,650 $25,995,513,000
2009 $111,657,580,326 $23,356,470,000
2008 $131,614,434,154 -
2007 $88,837,057,320 -
2006 $65,147,051,918 -
2005 $50,065,104,668 -
2004 $36,633,669,269 -
2003 $21,921,569,479 -
2002 $32,928,454,672 -
2001 $36,176,430,129 -
2000 $48,364,250,944 -
1999 $36,881,601,584 -
1998 $20,617,405,044 -
1997 $20,764,857,056 -
1996 $10,433,698,621 -
1995 $12,894,029,888 -
1994 $3,991,349,283 -
1993 $1,031,944,881 -
1992 $553,671,958 -
1991 $407,796,350 -
1990 $180,408,064,516 -
1989 $65,831,935,484 -
1988 $62,684,516,129 -
1987 $56,774,193,548 -
1986 $47,264,516,129 -
1985 $48,425,161,290 -
1984 $46,938,387,097 -
1983 $40,712,903,226 -
1982 $42,382,333,333 -
1981 $37,823,000,000 -
1980 $52,569,000,000 -
1979 $37,816,457,839 -
1978 $23,762,275,652 -
1977 $19,838,130,715 -
1976 $17,754,825,601 -
1975 $13,458,516,763 -
1974 $11,516,762,614 -
1973 $5,134,367,778 -
1972 $4,113,848,002 -
1971 $3,865,346,535 -
1970 $3,281,318,687 -
1969 $3,007,758,797 -
1968 $2,896,598,841 -
1967 $2,551,522,656 -
1966 $2,530,306,096 -
1965 $2,335,785,506 -
1964 $2,136,408,198 -
1963 $1,805,901,510 -
1962 $1,784,174,541 -
1961 $1,671,960,965 -
1960 $1,537,252,193 -

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

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

Iraq and North Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Iraq

North Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Iraq North Korea
2024 $6,074 $1,319
2023 $5,965 $1,217
2022 $6,521 $1,100
2021 $4,868 $1,231
2020 $4,295 $1,061
2019 $5,672 $1,084
2018 $5,647 $1,100
2017 $4,759 $1,127
2016 $4,334 $1,124
2015 $4,440 $1,201
2014 $6,249 $1,201
2013 $6,650 $1,208
2012 $6,478 $1,186
2011 $5,776 $1,156
2010 $4,462 $1,040
2009 $3,715 $939
2008 $4,543 -
2007 $3,129 -
2006 $2,277 -
2005 $1,762 -
2004 $1,328 -
2003 $818 -
2002 $1,266 -
2001 $1,436 -
2000 $1,980 -
1999 $1,560 -
1998 $901 -
1997 $936 -
1996 $485 -
1995 $619 -
1994 $198.2 -
1993 $53.7 -
1992 $30.3 -
1991 $23 -
1990 $10,261 -
1989 $3,791 -
1988 $3,707 -
1987 $3,436 -
1986 $2,940 -
1985 $3,088 -
1984 $3,066 -
1983 $2,743 -
1982 $2,942 -
1981 $2,700 -
1980 $3,868 -
1979 $2,871 -
1978 $1,863 -
1977 $1,609 -
1976 $1,489 -
1975 $1,166 -
1974 $1,031 -
1973 $476 -
1972 $394 -
1971 $384 -
1970 $337 -
1969 $320 -
1968 $319 -
1967 $290.6 -
1966 $298.2 -
1965 $284.8 -
1964 $269.4 -
1963 $235.5 -
1962 $240.7 -
1961 $232.4 -
1960 $218.9 -

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

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

Iraq vs. North Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Iraq

North Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Iraq North Korea
2026 72.6 74
2025 72.5 73.9
2024 72.4 73.7
2023 72.3 73.6
2022 72 73.6
2021 70.7 73.4
2020 69.7 72.8
2019 71.2 72.9
2018 71.1 73
2017 69.8 73
2016 68.7 73
2015 70 72.8
2014 69.7 72.5
2013 69 71.9
2012 68.8 71.3
2011 68.4 70.8
2010 68.1 70.2
2009 67.8 69.7
2008 66.5 69.3
2007 64.4 69
2006 64 69.1
2005 64.9 69.2
2004 64.6 69.3
2003 64.8 69.4
2002 65.7 60.9
2001 65.3 60.9
2000 64.9 60.9
1999 64.5 60.9
1998 64.4 60.9
1997 64.2 60.9
1996 64.6 60.8
1995 64.8 60.8
1994 65 70.5
1993 65.3 70.8
1992 65.3 71
1991 61.3 70.7
1990 57.6 70.5
1989 57.5 70.3
1988 56.7 70.1
1987 60.3 69.8
1986 60 69.5
1985 59.8 69.2
1984 59.5 68.9
1983 59.3 68.5
1982 59 68.1
1981 58.7 67.7
1980 60.9 67.2
1979 64.4 66.7
1978 64.2 66.3
1977 63.9 65.8
1976 63.6 65.3
1975 61.4 64.8
1974 61 64.3
1973 62.3 63.8
1972 61.8 63.3
1971 61.3 62.7
1970 60.5 62
1969 59.6 61.4
1968 59 60.8
1967 58.4 60.1
1966 57.3 59.4
1965 56.4 58.8
1964 55.2 58.2
1963 54.4 57.6
1962 53.5 57
1961 52.3 56.4
1960 51.5 55.8
1959 49.7 55.2
1958 49 54.5
1957 47.7 53.7
1956 46.4 52.8
1955 45 51.8
1954 43.5 50.6
1953 42.1 40.3
1952 40.5 32.8
1951 39 17.7
1950 37.4 14.2

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

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

Iraq and North Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Iraq

North Korea
1x
Year Population
Iraq North Korea
2024 46,042,015 26,498,823
2023 45,074,049 26,418,204
2022 44,070,551 26,328,845
2021 43,071,211 26,232,534
2020 42,116,605 26,136,312
2019 41,192,171 26,037,632
2018 40,265,624 25,931,147
2017 39,337,353 25,817,709
2016 38,469,627 25,698,326
2015 37,560,535 25,575,350
2014 36,550,059 25,451,262
2013 35,281,989 25,329,451
2012 33,654,842 25,211,728
2011 32,161,424 25,097,874
2010 31,045,366 24,987,258
2009 30,058,206 24,878,332
2008 28,971,036 24,764,618
2007 28,391,607 24,646,383
2006 28,616,515 24,524,507
2005 28,407,448 24,396,433
2004 27,577,878 24,254,943
2003 26,802,659 24,090,380
2002 26,006,559 23,943,973
2001 25,197,840 23,815,358
2000 24,424,056 23,665,910
1999 23,636,527 23,497,599
1998 22,884,399 23,311,564
1997 22,176,593 23,110,830
1996 21,501,321 22,895,746
1995 20,825,860 22,669,304
1994 20,139,807 22,393,975
1993 19,201,195 22,073,352
1992 18,300,845 21,750,911
1991 17,767,253 21,428,638
1990 17,581,206 21,112,137
1989 17,364,542 20,804,367
1988 16,908,819 20,503,161
1987 16,521,049 20,205,483
1986 16,074,145 19,910,855
1985 15,683,430 19,620,388
1984 15,310,733 19,335,043
1983 14,840,555 19,054,034
1982 14,406,083 18,776,357
1981 14,006,381 18,501,295
1980 13,591,992 18,236,786
1979 13,170,365 17,983,470
1978 12,753,355 17,735,995
1977 12,331,046 17,492,798
1976 11,927,651 17,243,450
1975 11,543,639 16,971,055
1974 11,167,761 16,673,121
1973 10,795,869 16,350,367
1972 10,430,164 15,975,069
1971 10,077,809 15,572,457
1970 9,735,611 15,172,775
1969 9,403,356 14,767,615
1968 9,085,016 14,365,596
1967 8,778,869 13,958,350
1966 8,485,104 13,569,094
1965 8,202,140 13,219,369
1964 7,929,566 12,889,770
1963 7,667,928 12,567,057
1962 7,413,875 12,262,882
1961 7,194,553 11,990,713
1960 7,022,052 11,722,953

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

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

Fertility rates in Iraq and North Korea

Fertility rate
Iraq

North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Iraq North Korea
2023 3.25 1.78
2022 3.29 1.8
2021 3.36 1.81
2020 3.42 1.82
2019 3.48 1.83
2018 3.55 1.83
2017 3.64 1.85
2016 3.84 1.86
2015 4.08 1.86
2014 4.31 1.87
2013 4.44 1.88
2012 4.54 1.88
2011 4.59 1.88
2010 4.46 1.89
2009 4.38 1.91
2008 4.37 1.97
2007 4.4 1.94
2006 4.46 1.94
2005 4.45 1.87
2004 4.53 1.9
2003 4.58 1.91
2002 4.67 1.92
2001 4.8 1.94
2000 4.92 1.94
1999 5.04 1.97
1998 5.11 1.99
1997 5.19 2.03
1996 5.25 2.09
1995 5.36 2.15
1994 5.49 2.18
1993 5.61 2.22
1992 5.72 2.29
1991 5.83 2.35
1990 5.93 2.39
1989 5.99 2.41
1988 6.05 2.47
1987 6.11 2.53
1986 6.18 2.59
1985 6.25 2.65
1984 6.32 2.71
1983 6.39 2.78
1982 6.46 2.85
1981 6.53 2.92
1980 6.59 2.84
1979 6.66 2.85
1978 6.73 2.79
1977 6.8 2.77
1976 6.86 2.84
1975 6.91 3.05
1974 6.95 3.14
1973 6.99 3.35
1972 7.02 3.89
1971 7.06 3.74
1970 7.07 3.85
1969 7.08 3.86
1968 7.06 3.87
1967 7.03 4.05
1966 7.02 3.71
1965 7.02 3.56
1964 7.01 3.55
1963 7.01 3.63
1962 6.99 3.41
1961 5.8 3.26
1960 5.3 3.57

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

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

Iraq and North Korea demographics compared

Median age
Iraq

North Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Iraq North Korea
2024 21.6 37.3
2023 21.4 37.1
2022 21.1 36.8
2021 20.9 36.6
2020 20.6 36.4
2019 20.4 36.2
2018 20.1 35.9
2017 19.9 35.7
2016 19.7 35.4
2015 19.5 35.2
2014 19.4 35
2013 19.3 34.7
2012 19.2 34.5
2011 19.1 34.3
2010 19 34
2009 18.9 33.7
2008 18.8 33.3
2007 18.7 32.9
2006 18.6 32.5
2005 18.5 32.1
2004 18.3 31.8
2003 18.2 31.4
2002 18.1 31
2001 18 30.5
2000 17.9 30.1
1999 17.9 29.6
1998 17.8 29.2
1997 17.7 28.8
1996 17.6 28.3
1995 17.5 28
1994 17.4 27.6
1993 17.3 27.2
1992 17.3 26.8
1991 17.2 26.4
1990 17.1 26
1989 17 25.6
1988 16.9 25.1
1987 16.9 24.8
1986 16.8 24.5
1985 16.7 24.2
1984 16.6 23.9
1983 16.6 23.5
1982 16.5 23.1
1981 16.5 22.8
1980 16.5 22.5
1979 16.5 22.2
1978 16.6 21.8
1977 16.6 21.4
1976 16.7 21.1
1975 17 20.9
1974 17.2 20.7
1973 17.5 20.7
1972 17.7 20.9
1971 17.9 21.2
1970 18.1 21.4
1969 18.3 21.4
1968 18.5 21.4
1967 18.7 21.4
1966 19 21.3
1965 19.3 21.2
1964 19.5 21
1963 19.8 20.8
1962 20.1 20.6
1961 20.4 20.2
1960 20.4 19.9

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Iraq North Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
n/a
Education expenditure, % of GDP
3.55%
1989
n/a
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.36%
2024
n/a
Armed forces personnel
459,000
2020
1,469,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-4.14%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
25.6%
2013
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
n/a
Economic freedom index
15.6
2002
3.1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
n/a
Personal remittances received
$696M
2024
n/a
International tourist arrivals
892,000
2013
n/a
International tourism as share of exports
1.88%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
30.2%
2024
n/a

Energy

Iraq North Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,412 kg
2022
641 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.2
2022
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
238.7 megatons
2024
66.2 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
5.18 tons
2024
2.5 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
98.7%
2022
85.1%
2022
Renewable energy use share
1.1%
2021
14.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.37%
2022
8.5%
2022
Net energy imports use share
-274.9%
2022
4.9%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
1,373 kWh
2022
830 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
3.78%
2021
63.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
1.98%
2022
62.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
57.5%
2023

Society

Iraq North Korea
% of world population
0.57%
2024
0.33%
2024
Annual migration change
-1,064
2025
-2,787
2025
Urban population
69.9%
2024
63.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.2:49.8
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.7 ft
2025
5.73 ft
2025
Average female height
5.21 ft
2025
5.29 ft
2025
Quality of life index
39.7
2026
10.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
28
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
10
2026
Homicides per 100K people
9.41
2013
4.4
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
27.3
2019
24.2
2019
Visa free countries
41
2025
48
2025
Adult literacy rate
84.1%
2021
100%
2018
English speaking
35%
2023
0%
2025
People using the Internet
81.7%
2023
0%
2012

Health

Iraq North Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$333
2023
n/a
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$179.9
2023
n/a
Life expectancy
72.6 years
2026
74 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
1.15%
2022
n/a
Physicians per 1,000 people
1.02
2022
3.63
2017
Maternal mortality per 100K births
66
2023
67
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
22.6
2023
18
2023
Obesity rate
41.4%
2022
11.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
13.4%
2024
9.9%
2024
Air quality index
14
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
19.2%
2022
16.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.24 liters
2020
3.87 liters
2020

Territory

Iraq North Korea
% of world land
0.29%
2026
0.08%
2026
Land area per capita
3,641 sq mi
2024
1,754 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
36,592 sq mi
2026
10,021 sq mi
2026
Forest area
3,185 sq mi
2026
23,036 sq mi
2026
Roads length n/a
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 (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  8. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  10. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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