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Israel vs North Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Israel has a population of 9.97M (ranked 96/197), compared with 26.5M in North Korea (ranked 56/197). Israel's land area is 8,355 sq mi versus 46,491 sq mi for North Korea (ranked 149th vs. 97th).

By GDP, Israel ranks 29/197 ($540B) and North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B). By GDP per capita, Israel ranks 21/197 ($54,177), while North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319).

Main facts and rankings

Israel North Korea
Population
10290887
26659144
Population rank 95/197 57/197
GDP
$540B
2024
$34.9B
2024
GDP rank 29/197 106/197
GDP per capita
$54,177
2024
$1,319
2024
GDP per capita rank 21/197 168/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$57,236
2024
$1,700
2015
Government debt
$366B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.6%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$36,645
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank 18/185 n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$43,003
2026
$1,426
2026
Land area 8,355 sq mi 46,491 sq mi
Population density
1,227 ppl/mi²
2026
573 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.85
2023
1.78
2023
Median age
30.2 years
2024
37.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
82.9 years
2026
74 years
2026

Israel and North Korea: Comparison Charts

Israel and North Korea economies compared

GDP
Israel

North Korea
1x
Year GDP
Israel North Korea
2024 $540,379,921,262 $34,943,120,000
2023 $512,184,638,999 $32,155,360,000
2022 $525,181,008,026 $28,971,360,000
2021 $489,851,549,972 $32,301,720,000
2020 $410,768,352,658 $27,728,240,000
2019 $400,645,216,359 $28,222,880,000
2018 $376,299,083,108 $28,536,400,000
2017 $358,451,839,053 $29,105,440,000
2016 $321,940,971,558 $28,882,640,000
2015 $303,469,434,072 $30,723,030,000
2014 $315,017,088,117 $30,554,460,000
2013 $298,478,070,673 $30,588,922,000
2012 $263,589,172,712 $29,890,710,000
2011 $268,094,998,225 $29,005,020,000
2010 $239,679,036,634 $25,995,513,000
2009 $213,403,181,853 $23,356,470,000
2008 $221,231,658,863 -
2007 $184,681,214,673 -
2006 $158,900,547,825 -
2005 $147,519,922,009 -
2004 $140,047,984,605 -
2003 $131,408,914,824 -
2002 $125,332,331,884 -
2001 $135,002,039,613 -
2000 $136,512,300,542 -
1999 $121,417,185,062 -
1998 $120,547,409,279 -
1997 $119,459,826,347 -
1996 $115,116,595,545 -
1995 $105,497,418,059 -
1994 $90,740,103,829 -
1993 $79,855,877,174 -
1992 $79,457,685,757 -
1991 $70,998,755,007 -
1990 $62,016,729,541 -
1989 $52,443,479,454 -
1988 $52,650,948,910 -
1987 $43,049,543,635 -
1986 $35,834,154,874 -
1985 $28,905,736,367 -
1984 $30,645,607,293 -
1983 $32,675,755,462 -
1982 $29,255,285,401 -
1981 $26,882,009,819 -
1980 $25,395,256,478 -
1979 $22,609,741,060 -
1978 $17,701,286,907 -
1977 $18,257,113,904 -
1976 $15,956,349,550 -
1975 $16,141,767,373 -
1974 $17,172,607,138 -
1973 $11,902,574,259 -
1972 $9,222,557,539 -
1971 $7,052,544,000 -
1970 $7,406,712,876 -
1969 $6,297,852,761 -
1968 $5,458,427,928 -
1967 $4,762,386,783 -
1966 $4,703,300,098 -
1965 $4,329,084,429 -
1964 $4,024,344,853 -
1963 $3,535,949,089 -
1962 $2,966,154,031 -
1961 $3,708,586,471 -
1960 $3,070,585,807 -

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

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

Israel and North Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Israel

North Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Israel North Korea
2024 $54,177 $1,319
2023 $52,004 $1,217
2022 $54,950 $1,100
2021 $52,271 $1,231
2020 $44,576 $1,061
2019 $44,251 $1,084
2018 $42,363 $1,100
2017 $41,138 $1,127
2016 $37,672 $1,124
2015 $36,213 $1,201
2014 $38,343 $1,201
2013 $37,034 $1,208
2012 $33,321 $1,186
2011 $34,523 $1,156
2010 $31,439 $1,040
2009 $28,508 $939
2008 $30,269 -
2007 $25,721 -
2006 $22,527 -
2005 $21,287 -
2004 $20,568 -
2003 $19,643 -
2002 $19,076 -
2001 $20,966 -
2000 $21,707 -
1999 $19,823 -
1998 $20,189 -
1997 $20,469 -
1996 $20,224 -
1995 $19,026 -
1994 $16,807 -
1993 $15,179 -
1992 $15,510 -
1991 $14,346 -
1990 $13,308 -
1989 $11,608 -
1988 $11,853 -
1987 $9,853 -
1986 $8,335 -
1985 $6,829 -
1984 $7,369 -
1983 $7,960 -
1982 $7,258 -
1981 $6,795 -
1980 $6,549 -
1979 $5,972 -
1978 $4,797 -
1977 $5,053 -
1976 $4,516 -
1975 $4,672 -
1974 $5,085 -
1973 $3,631 -
1972 $2,930 -
1971 $2,298 -
1970 $2,490 -
1969 $2,189 -
1968 $1,947 -
1967 $1,735 -
1966 $1,789 -
1965 $1,689 -
1964 $1,626 -
1963 $1,486 -
1962 $1,294 -
1961 $1,697 -
1960 $1,452 -

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

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

Israel vs. North Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Israel

North Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Israel North Korea
2026 82.9 74
2025 82.8 73.9
2024 82.7 73.7
2023 82.4 73.6
2022 82.8 73.6
2021 82.5 73.4
2020 82.7 72.8
2019 82.9 72.9
2018 82.9 73
2017 82.7 73
2016 82.6 73
2015 82.3 72.8
2014 82.4 72.5
2013 82.4 71.9
2012 82 71.3
2011 82 70.8
2010 82 70.2
2009 81.8 69.7
2008 81.3 69.3
2007 81 69
2006 80.8 69.1
2005 80.4 69.2
2004 80.3 69.3
2003 79.8 69.4
2002 79.5 60.9
2001 79.5 60.9
2000 79.2 60.9
1999 78.9 60.9
1998 78.6 60.9
1997 78.6 60.9
1996 78.6 60.8
1995 78.1 60.8
1994 78 70.5
1993 77.9 70.8
1992 77.3 71
1991 77.6 70.7
1990 78 70.5
1989 77.6 70.3
1988 76.9 70.1
1987 76.4 69.8
1986 75.9 69.5
1985 76 69.2
1984 75.5 68.9
1983 75.1 68.5
1982 74.3 68.1
1981 74.2 67.7
1980 73.7 67.2
1979 73.4 66.7
1978 73.1 66.3
1977 72.7 65.8
1976 72.7 65.3
1975 71.6 64.8
1974 71.6 64.3
1973 71.6 63.8
1972 71.6 63.3
1971 71.8 62.7
1970 71.2 62
1969 71 61.4
1968 70.8 60.8
1967 70.9 60.1
1966 70.9 59.4
1965 70.5 58.8
1964 69.6 58.2
1963 69.6 57.6
1962 69.3 57
1961 69.8 56.4
1960 69.8 55.8
1959 68.9 55.2
1958 68.4 54.5
1957 66.5 53.7
1956 66.6 52.8
1955 68 51.8
1954 66.3 50.6
1953 66.4 40.3
1952 67.2 32.8
1951 67.6 17.7
1950 69.9 14.2

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

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

Israel and North Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Israel

North Korea
1x
Year Population
Israel North Korea
2024 9,974,400 26,498,823
2023 9,849,000 26,418,204
2022 9,557,500 26,328,845
2021 9,371,400 26,232,534
2020 9,215,100 26,136,312
2019 9,054,000 26,037,632
2018 8,882,800 25,931,147
2017 8,713,300 25,817,709
2016 8,546,000 25,698,326
2015 8,380,100 25,575,350
2014 8,215,700 25,451,262
2013 8,059,500 25,329,451
2012 7,910,500 25,211,728
2011 7,765,800 25,097,874
2010 7,623,600 24,987,258
2009 7,485,600 24,878,332
2008 7,308,800 24,764,618
2007 7,180,100 24,646,383
2006 7,053,700 24,524,507
2005 6,930,100 24,396,433
2004 6,809,000 24,254,943
2003 6,689,700 24,090,380
2002 6,570,000 23,943,973
2001 6,439,000 23,815,358
2000 6,289,000 23,665,910
1999 6,125,000 23,497,599
1998 5,971,000 23,311,564
1997 5,836,000 23,110,830
1996 5,692,000 22,895,746
1995 5,545,000 22,669,304
1994 5,399,000 22,393,975
1993 5,261,000 22,073,352
1992 5,123,000 21,750,911
1991 4,949,000 21,428,638
1990 4,660,000 21,112,137
1989 4,518,000 20,804,367
1988 4,442,000 20,503,161
1987 4,369,000 20,205,483
1986 4,299,000 19,910,855
1985 4,233,000 19,620,388
1984 4,159,000 19,335,043
1983 4,105,000 19,054,034
1982 4,031,000 18,776,357
1981 3,956,000 18,501,295
1980 3,878,000 18,236,786
1979 3,786,000 17,983,470
1978 3,690,000 17,735,995
1977 3,613,000 17,492,798
1976 3,533,000 17,243,450
1975 3,455,000 16,971,055
1974 3,377,000 16,673,121
1973 3,278,000 16,350,367
1972 3,148,000 15,975,069
1971 3,069,000 15,572,457
1970 2,974,000 15,172,775
1969 2,877,000 14,767,615
1968 2,803,000 14,365,596
1967 2,745,000 13,958,350
1966 2,629,000 13,569,094
1965 2,563,000 13,219,369
1964 2,475,000 12,889,770
1963 2,379,000 12,567,057
1962 2,293,000 12,262,882
1961 2,185,000 11,990,713
1960 2,114,020 11,722,953

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

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

Fertility rates in Israel and North Korea

Fertility rate
Israel

North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Israel North Korea
2023 2.85 1.78
2022 2.89 1.8
2021 3 1.81
2020 2.9 1.82
2019 3.01 1.83
2018 3.09 1.83
2017 3.11 1.85
2016 3.11 1.86
2015 3.09 1.86
2014 3.08 1.87
2013 3.03 1.88
2012 3.05 1.88
2011 2.98 1.88
2010 3.03 1.89
2009 2.96 1.91
2008 2.96 1.97
2007 2.9 1.94
2006 2.88 1.94
2005 2.84 1.87
2004 2.9 1.9
2003 2.95 1.91
2002 2.89 1.92
2001 2.92 1.94
2000 2.95 1.94
1999 2.97 1.97
1998 2.98 1.99
1997 2.94 2.03
1996 2.9 2.09
1995 2.9 2.15
1994 2.9 2.18
1993 2.8 2.22
1992 2.7 2.29
1991 2.76 2.35
1990 2.82 2.39
1989 2.89 2.41
1988 2.95 2.47
1987 3.01 2.53
1986 3.03 2.59
1985 3.06 2.65
1984 3.08 2.71
1983 3.11 2.78
1982 3.13 2.85
1981 3.19 2.92
1980 3.24 2.84
1979 3.3 2.85
1978 3.35 2.79
1977 3.41 2.77
1976 3.48 2.84
1975 3.55 3.05
1974 3.63 3.14
1973 3.7 3.35
1972 3.77 3.89
1971 3.77 3.74
1970 3.78 3.85
1969 3.78 3.86
1968 3.79 3.87
1967 3.79 4.05
1966 3.8 3.71
1965 3.81 3.56
1964 3.83 3.55
1963 3.84 3.63
1962 3.85 3.41
1961 3.86 3.26
1960 3.87 3.57

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

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

Israel and North Korea demographics compared

Median age
Israel

North Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Israel North Korea
2024 30.2 37.3
2023 30.2 37.1
2022 30.1 36.8
2021 30 36.6
2020 30 36.4
2019 29.9 36.2
2018 29.9 35.9
2017 29.9 35.7
2016 29.8 35.4
2015 29.8 35.2
2014 29.7 35
2013 29.6 34.7
2012 29.5 34.5
2011 29.5 34.3
2010 29.4 34
2009 29.3 33.7
2008 29.2 33.3
2007 29.1 32.9
2006 28.9 32.5
2005 28.7 32.1
2004 28.5 31.8
2003 28.4 31.4
2002 28.2 31
2001 28 30.5
2000 27.8 30.1
1999 27.6 29.6
1998 27.4 29.2
1997 27.3 28.8
1996 27.1 28.3
1995 26.9 28
1994 26.6 27.6
1993 26.5 27.2
1992 26.4 26.8
1991 26.2 26.4
1990 25.8 26
1989 25.6 25.6
1988 25.5 25.1
1987 25.5 24.8
1986 25.4 24.5
1985 25.4 24.2
1984 25.4 23.9
1983 25.3 23.5
1982 25.2 23.1
1981 25.1 22.8
1980 25 22.5
1979 24.8 22.2
1978 24.7 21.8
1977 24.5 21.4
1976 24.3 21.1
1975 24.2 20.9
1974 24 20.7
1973 23.8 20.7
1972 23.7 20.9
1971 23.5 21.2
1970 23.4 21.4
1969 23.3 21.4
1968 23.3 21.4
1967 23.4 21.4
1966 23.5 21.3
1965 23.8 21.2
1964 24.1 21
1963 24.6 20.8
1962 25 20.6
1961 25.3 20.2
1960 25.3 19.9

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Israel North Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$528B
2024
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.8%
2024
n/a
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.93%
2022
n/a
Military expenditure, % of GDP
8.78%
2024
n/a
Armed forces personnel
178,000
2020
1,469,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-8.26%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.9%
2024
25.6%
2013
Services, % of GDP
72.5%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
n/a
Economic freedom index
68.4
2026
3.1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2021
n/a
Number of millionaires
179,905
2025
n/a
Percentage of millionaires
2.79%
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
41
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.0006%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
511
2024
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$331B
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$215B
2024
n/a
Personal remittances received
$952M
2024
n/a
International tourist arrivals
4,905,000
2019
n/a
International tourism as share of exports
2.39%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
89.3%
2024
n/a

Energy

Israel North Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
2,460 kg
2023
641 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$22.4
2023
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
57.7 megatons
2024
66.2 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
5.78 tons
2024
2.5 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
96.5%
2023
85.1%
2022
Renewable energy use share
6.2%
2021
14.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
5.44%
2023
8.5%
2022
Net energy imports use share
13.7%
2023
4.9%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
6,772 kWh
2023
830 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
7.63%
2021
63.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2023
62.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
57.5%
2023

Society

Israel North Korea
% of world population
0.12%
2024
0.33%
2024
Annual migration change
+11,466
2025
-2,787
2025
Urban population
91.5%
2024
63.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.77 ft
2025
5.73 ft
2025
Average female height
5.32 ft
2025
5.29 ft
2025
Quality of life index
85
2026
10.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
62
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
92
2026
10
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.63
2022
4.4
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
3.9
2019
24.2
2019
Visa free countries
153
2025
48
2025
Adult literacy rate
97.8%
2011
100%
2018
English speaking
85%
2023
0%
2025
People using the Internet
88.2%
2024
0%
2012

Health

Israel North Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$3,928
2023
n/a
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$805
2023
n/a
Life expectancy
82.9 years
2026
74 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
1.45%
2023
n/a
Physicians per 1,000 people
3.8
2023
3.63
2017
Age at first childbirth
27.8 years
2021
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
2
2023
67
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
3.4
2023
18
2023
Obesity rate
23.2%
2022
11.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
10.1%
2024
9.9%
2024
Air quality index
43
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
20.4%
2022
16.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
2.84 liters
2020
3.87 liters
2020

Territory

Israel North Korea
% of world land
0.01%
2026
0.08%
2026
Land area per capita
838 sq mi
2024
1,754 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
2,072 sq mi
2026
10,021 sq mi
2026
Forest area
541 sq mi
2026
23,036 sq mi
2026
Roads length
12,670 mi
2021
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. 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)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2021, retrieved 2026-03-10)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.