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New Zealand vs North Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

New Zealand has a population of 5.29M (ranked 123/197), compared with 26.5M in North Korea (ranked 56/197). New Zealand's land area is 101,665 sq mi versus 46,491 sq mi for North Korea (ranked 74th vs. 97th).

By GDP, New Zealand ranks 52/197 ($260B) and North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B). By GDP per capita, New Zealand ranks 26/197 ($49,205), while North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319).

Main facts and rankings

New Zealand North Korea
Population
5374272
26659144
Population rank 124/197 57/197
GDP
$260B
2024
$34.9B
2024
GDP rank 52/197 106/197
GDP per capita
$49,205
2024
$1,319
2024
GDP per capita rank 26/197 168/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$55,551
2024
$1,700
2015
Government debt
$131B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.2%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$24,722
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank 28/185 n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$37,758
2026
$1,426
2026
Land area 101,665 sq mi 46,491 sq mi
Population density
52.8 ppl/mi²
2026
573 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.56
2023
1.78
2023
Median age
38.6 years
2024
37.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
82.5 years
2026
74 years
2026

New Zealand and North Korea: Comparison Charts

New Zealand and North Korea economies compared

GDP
New Zealand

North Korea
1x
Year GDP
New Zealand North Korea
2024 $260,172,385,098 $34,943,120,000
2023 $255,194,972,673 $32,155,360,000
2022 $249,509,991,440 $28,971,360,000
2021 $253,977,931,815 $32,301,720,000
2020 $213,029,554,654 $27,728,240,000
2019 $213,006,341,102 $28,222,880,000
2018 $211,985,631,173 $28,536,400,000
2017 $206,745,969,246 $29,105,440,000
2016 $189,100,085,275 $28,882,640,000
2015 $178,224,167,088 $30,723,030,000
2014 $201,518,402,787 $30,554,460,000
2013 $191,012,364,177 $30,588,922,000
2012 $176,560,711,239 $29,890,710,000
2011 $168,484,908,960 $29,005,020,000
2010 $146,887,902,524 $25,995,513,000
2009 $121,663,439,315 $23,356,470,000
2008 $133,437,126,590 -
2007 $137,188,946,866 -
2006 $111,538,810,713 -
2005 $114,720,129,550 -
2004 $103,905,210,084 -
2003 $88,250,885,550 -
2002 $66,627,729,311 -
2001 $53,872,425,917 -
2000 $52,623,281,957 -
1999 $58,762,260,626 -
1998 $56,227,169,851 -
1997 $66,075,143,415 -
1996 $70,140,835,299 -
1995 $63,918,703,507 -
1994 $55,314,732,279 -
1993 $46,775,620,817 -
1992 $41,649,829,860 -
1991 $42,745,329,732 -
1990 $45,495,129,385 -
1989 $43,920,222,525 -
1988 $45,176,811,594 -
1987 $40,376,354,070 -
1986 $30,604,668,357 -
1985 $24,679,795,396 -
1984 $21,665,975,319 -
1983 $24,309,279,706 -
1982 $24,164,603,059 -
1981 $24,417,617,184 -
1980 $23,244,547,385 -
1979 $20,731,243,113 -
1978 $18,530,518,395 -
1977 $15,446,825,318 -
1976 $13,604,832,424 -
1975 $12,861,983,284 -
1974 $13,940,981,798 -
1973 $12,802,281,898 -
1972 $9,567,331,065 -
1971 $7,911,136,757 -
1970 $6,495,605,331 -
1969 $5,814,357,709 -
1968 $5,228,045,415 -
1967 $6,016,017,227 -
1966 $5,917,437,693 -
1965 $5,706,251,400 -
1964 $7,340,766,415 -
1963 $6,699,741,645 -
1962 $6,133,158,532 -
1961 $5,721,994,864 -
1960 $5,536,098,360 -

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/north-korea | CC BY

New Zealand and North Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
New Zealand

North Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
New Zealand North Korea
2024 $49,205 $1,319
2023 $49,076 $1,217
2022 $49,100 $1,100
2021 $49,950 $1,231
2020 $41,998 $1,061
2019 $42,856 $1,084
2018 $43,257 $1,100
2017 $42,950 $1,127
2016 $40,114 $1,124
2015 $38,665 $1,201
2014 $44,618 $1,201
2013 $43,000 $1,208
2012 $40,054 $1,186
2011 $38,432 $1,156
2010 $33,762 $1,040
2009 $28,277 $939
2008 $31,325 -
2007 $32,480 -
2006 $26,655 -
2005 $27,751 -
2004 $25,420 -
2003 $21,914 -
2002 $16,874 -
2001 $13,883 -
2000 $13,641 -
1999 $15,322 -
1998 $14,738 -
1997 $17,474 -
1996 $18,794 -
1995 $17,400 -
1994 $15,280 -
1993 $13,094 -
1992 $11,793 -
1991 $12,230 -
1990 $13,663 -
1989 $13,312 -
1988 $13,759 -
1987 $12,331 -
1986 $9,428 -
1985 $7,601 -
1984 $6,714 -
1983 $7,598 -
1982 $7,656 -
1981 $7,814 -
1980 $7,467 -
1979 $6,668 -
1978 $5,937 -
1977 $4,951 -
1976 $4,374 -
1975 $4,172 -
1974 $4,611 -
1973 $4,323 -
1972 $3,295 -
1971 $2,773 -
1970 $2,311 -
1969 $2,097 -
1968 $1,902 -
1967 $2,208 -
1966 $2,211 -
1965 $2,171 -
1964 $2,839 -
1963 $2,646 -
1962 $2,471 -
1961 $2,365 -
1960 $2,334 -

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/north-korea | CC BY

New Zealand vs. North Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
New Zealand

North Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
New Zealand North Korea
2026 82.5 74
2025 82.4 73.9
2024 82.2 73.7
2023 82.1 73.6
2022 81 73.6
2021 82.3 73.4
2020 82.7 72.8
2019 81.8 72.9
2018 81.9 73
2017 81.6 73
2016 82 73
2015 81.6 72.8
2014 81.4 72.5
2013 81.6 71.9
2012 81.2 71.3
2011 80.8 70.8
2010 81.1 70.2
2009 80.5 69.7
2008 80.2 69.3
2007 80.1 69
2006 80 69.1
2005 80 69.2
2004 79.4 69.3
2003 79.1 69.4
2002 78.9 60.9
2001 78.7 60.9
2000 78.7 60.9
1999 77.9 60.9
1998 78.2 60.9
1997 77.3 60.9
1996 76.8 60.8
1995 76.8 60.8
1994 76.9 70.5
1993 76.5 70.8
1992 76.2 71
1991 76.1 70.7
1990 75.4 70.5
1989 74.9 70.3
1988 74.5 70.1
1987 74.2 69.8
1986 74.1 69.5
1985 73.9 69.2
1984 74.4 68.9
1983 73.8 68.5
1982 73.7 68.1
1981 73.6 67.7
1980 72.9 67.2
1979 73.1 66.7
1978 73 66.3
1977 72.1 65.8
1976 72.4 65.3
1975 72.2 64.8
1974 71.9 64.3
1973 71.7 63.8
1972 71.8 63.3
1971 71.7 62.7
1970 71.2 62
1969 71.5 61.4
1968 71.1 60.8
1967 71.4 60.1
1966 71.1 59.4
1965 71.2 58.8
1964 71.3 58.2
1963 71.3 57.6
1962 71.2 57
1961 70.9 56.4
1960 71.2 55.8
1959 70.8 55.2
1958 70.9 54.5
1957 70.3 53.7
1956 70.7 52.8
1955 70.5 51.8
1954 70.3 50.6
1953 70.2 40.3
1952 69.4 32.8
1951 69.1 17.7
1950 69.3 14.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/north-korea | CC BY

New Zealand and North Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
New Zealand

North Korea
1x
Year Population
New Zealand North Korea
2024 5,287,500 26,498,823
2023 5,200,000 26,418,204
2022 5,081,700 26,328,845
2021 5,084,600 26,232,534
2020 5,072,400 26,136,312
2019 4,970,300 26,037,632
2018 4,900,600 25,931,147
2017 4,813,600 25,817,709
2016 4,714,100 25,698,326
2015 4,609,400 25,575,350
2014 4,516,500 25,451,262
2013 4,442,100 25,329,451
2012 4,408,100 25,211,728
2011 4,384,000 25,097,874
2010 4,350,700 24,987,258
2009 4,302,600 24,878,332
2008 4,259,800 24,764,618
2007 4,223,800 24,646,383
2006 4,184,600 24,524,507
2005 4,133,900 24,396,433
2004 4,087,500 24,254,943
2003 4,027,200 24,090,380
2002 3,948,500 23,943,973
2001 3,880,500 23,815,358
2000 3,857,700 23,665,910
1999 3,835,100 23,497,599
1998 3,815,000 23,311,564
1997 3,781,300 23,110,830
1996 3,732,000 22,895,746
1995 3,673,400 22,669,304
1994 3,620,000 22,393,975
1993 3,572,200 22,073,352
1992 3,531,700 21,750,911
1991 3,495,100 21,428,638
1990 3,329,800 21,112,137
1989 3,299,200 20,804,367
1988 3,283,400 20,503,161
1987 3,274,400 20,205,483
1986 3,246,300 19,910,855
1985 3,247,100 19,620,388
1984 3,227,100 19,335,043
1983 3,199,300 19,054,034
1982 3,156,100 18,776,357
1981 3,124,900 18,501,295
1980 3,112,900 18,236,786
1979 3,109,000 17,983,470
1978 3,121,200 17,735,995
1977 3,120,200 17,492,798
1976 3,110,500 17,243,450
1975 3,083,100 16,971,055
1974 3,023,700 16,673,121
1973 2,961,300 16,350,367
1972 2,903,900 15,975,069
1971 2,853,000 15,572,457
1970 2,810,700 15,172,775
1969 2,772,800 14,767,615
1968 2,748,100 14,365,596
1967 2,724,100 13,958,350
1966 2,675,900 13,569,094
1965 2,628,400 13,219,369
1964 2,585,400 12,889,770
1963 2,531,800 12,567,057
1962 2,482,000 12,262,882
1961 2,419,700 11,990,713
1960 2,371,800 11,722,953

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/north-korea | CC BY

Fertility rates in New Zealand and North Korea

Fertility rate
New Zealand

North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
New Zealand North Korea
2023 1.56 1.78
2022 1.66 1.8
2021 1.64 1.81
2020 1.61 1.82
2019 1.72 1.83
2018 1.71 1.83
2017 1.81 1.85
2016 1.87 1.86
2015 1.99 1.86
2014 1.92 1.87
2013 2.01 1.88
2012 2.1 1.88
2011 2.09 1.88
2010 2.17 1.89
2009 2.13 1.91
2008 2.19 1.97
2007 2.18 1.94
2006 2.01 1.94
2005 1.97 1.87
2004 1.98 1.9
2003 1.93 1.91
2002 1.89 1.92
2001 1.97 1.94
2000 1.98 1.94
1999 1.97 1.97
1998 1.89 1.99
1997 1.96 2.03
1996 1.96 2.09
1995 1.98 2.15
1994 1.98 2.18
1993 2.04 2.22
1992 2.06 2.29
1991 2.09 2.35
1990 2.18 2.39
1989 2.12 2.41
1988 2.1 2.47
1987 2.03 2.53
1986 1.96 2.59
1985 1.93 2.65
1984 1.93 2.71
1983 1.92 2.78
1982 1.95 2.85
1981 2.01 2.92
1980 2.03 2.84
1979 2.12 2.85
1978 2.07 2.79
1977 2.21 2.77
1976 2.27 2.84
1975 2.37 3.05
1974 2.58 3.14
1973 2.76 3.35
1972 3 3.89
1971 3.18 3.74
1970 3.17 3.85
1969 3.28 3.86
1968 3.34 3.87
1967 3.35 4.05
1966 3.41 3.71
1965 3.54 3.56
1964 3.8 3.55
1963 4.05 3.63
1962 4.19 3.41
1961 4.31 3.26
1960 4.24 3.57

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/north-korea | CC BY

New Zealand and North Korea demographics compared

Median age
New Zealand

North Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
New Zealand North Korea
2024 38.6 37.3
2023 38.3 37.1
2022 38.1 36.8
2021 37.8 36.6
2020 37.5 36.4
2019 37.3 36.2
2018 37.3 35.9
2017 37.2 35.7
2016 37.3 35.4
2015 37.4 35.2
2014 37.5 35
2013 37.4 34.7
2012 37.2 34.5
2011 37 34.3
2010 36.8 34
2009 36.6 33.7
2008 36.4 33.3
2007 36.1 32.9
2006 35.8 32.5
2005 35.5 32.1
2004 35.2 31.8
2003 35 31.4
2002 34.8 31
2001 34.6 30.5
2000 34.3 30.1
1999 34 29.6
1998 33.6 29.2
1997 33.2 28.8
1996 32.8 28.3
1995 32.6 28
1994 32.3 27.6
1993 32 27.2
1992 31.7 26.8
1991 31.4 26.4
1990 31.1 26
1989 30.8 25.6
1988 30.4 25.1
1987 30.1 24.8
1986 29.8 24.5
1985 29.4 24.2
1984 29.1 23.9
1983 28.8 23.5
1982 28.5 23.1
1981 28.2 22.8
1980 27.9 22.5
1979 27.5 22.2
1978 27.1 21.8
1977 26.8 21.4
1976 26.5 21.1
1975 26.3 20.9
1974 26.2 20.7
1973 26 20.7
1972 25.9 20.9
1971 25.7 21.2
1970 25.6 21.4
1969 25.7 21.4
1968 25.7 21.4
1967 25.8 21.4
1966 25.9 21.3
1965 26 21.2
1964 26.2 21
1963 26.4 20.8
1962 26.8 20.6
1961 27.1 20.2
1960 27.5 19.9

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/north-korea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

New Zealand North Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
n/a
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.28%
2023
n/a
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.19%
2024
n/a
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
1,469,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.61%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.76%
2024
25.6%
2013
Services, % of GDP
67.4%
2022
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
19.6%
2022
n/a
Economic freedom index
77.8
2026
3.1
2026
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.0001%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
112
2024
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$92.9B
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$22.1B
2024
n/a
Personal remittances received
$598M
2024
n/a
International tourist arrivals
996,000
2020
n/a
International tourism as share of exports
18.8%
2018
n/a
Banked people share
97.9%
2024
n/a

Energy

New Zealand North Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
3,661 kg
2023
641 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$14.9
2023
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
31.8 megatons
2024
66.2 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
6.02 tons
2024
2.5 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
55.4%
2023
85.1%
2022
Renewable energy use share
28.9%
2021
14.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
39.7%
2023
8.5%
2022
Net energy imports use share
31.6%
2023
4.9%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
8,021 kWh
2023
830 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
81.4%
2021
63.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
59.5%
2023
62.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
57.5%
2023

Society

New Zealand North Korea
% of world population
0.07%
2024
0.33%
2024
Annual migration change
+17,403
2025
-2,787
2025
Urban population
83.9%
2024
63.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.7:50.3
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.83 ft
2025
5.73 ft
2025
Average female height
5.4 ft
2025
5.29 ft
2025
Quality of life index
89.3
2026
10.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
81
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
91
2026
10
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.11
2021
4.4
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
9.6
2019
24.2
2019
Visa free countries
170
2025
48
2025
Adult literacy rate
99%
2003
100%
2018
English speaking
97.8%
2023
0%
2025
People using the Internet
96.2%
2023
0%
2012

Health

New Zealand North Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$5,022
2024
n/a
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$637
2024
n/a
Life expectancy
82.5 years
2026
74 years
2026
Physicians per 1,000 people
3.61
2022
3.63
2017
Age at first childbirth
27.8 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
7
2023
67
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
4.7
2023
18
2023
Obesity rate
34.3%
2022
11.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.7%
2024
9.9%
2024
Air quality index
90
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
12.2%
2022
16.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
10 liters
2020
3.87 liters
2020

Territory

New Zealand North Korea
% of world land
0.18%
2026
0.08%
2026
Land area per capita
19,227 sq mi
2024
1,754 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
37,494 sq mi
2026
10,021 sq mi
2026
Forest area
38,418 sq mi
2026
23,036 sq mi
2026
Roads length
60,159 mi
2020
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) (2000–2025, 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)

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