North Korea has a population of 26.5M (ranked 56/197), compared with 17.7K in Palau (ranked 194/197). North Korea's land area is 46,491 sq mi versus 177.6 sq mi for Palau (ranked 97th vs. 180th).
By GDP, North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B) and Palau ranks 193/197 ($282M). By GDP per capita, North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319), while Palau ranks 67/197 ($15,899).
Main facts and rankings
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
26621357
|
17663
|
| Population rank | 56/197 | 194/197 |
| GDP |
$34.9B
2024 |
$282M
2023 |
| GDP rank | 106/197 | 193/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,319
2024 |
$15,899
2023 |
| GDP per capita rank | 168/197 | 67/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,700
2015 |
$17,532
2023 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,642
2025 |
$8,654
2025 |
| Land area |
46,491 sq mi
2025 |
177.6 sq mi
2025 |
| Population density |
570 ppl/mi²
2024 |
99.6 ppl/mi²
2024 |
| Fertility rate |
1.78
2023 |
1.91
2023 |
| Median age |
37.3 years
2024 |
39.2 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
73.9 years
2025 |
69.5 years
2025 |
North Korea and Palau: Comparison Charts
North Korea and Palau economies compared
GDP
North Korea
Palau
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
| 1970 | - | $11,563,041 |
| 1971 | - | $12,706,874 |
| 1972 | - | $13,956,474 |
| 1973 | - | $15,331,889 |
| 1974 | - | $16,848,759 |
| 1975 | - | $18,521,112 |
| 1976 | - | $20,364,420 |
| 1977 | - | $22,308,104 |
| 1978 | - | $24,530,015 |
| 1979 | - | $27,004,251 |
| 1980 | - | $29,728,054 |
| 1981 | - | $32,726,594 |
| 1982 | - | $36,027,583 |
| 1983 | - | $39,661,530 |
| 1984 | - | $44,814,259 |
| 1985 | - | $51,030,637 |
| 1986 | - | $58,109,314 |
| 1987 | - | $66,169,905 |
| 1988 | - | $75,348,615 |
| 1989 | - | $85,800,543 |
| 1990 | - | $97,702,303 |
| 1991 | - | $106,555,300 |
| 1992 | - | $104,771,300 |
| 1993 | - | $96,455,700 |
| 1994 | - | $106,138,500 |
| 1995 | - | $121,018,500 |
| 1996 | - | $137,494,600 |
| 1997 | - | $143,860,800 |
| 1998 | - | $149,079,600 |
| 1999 | - | $144,206,500 |
| 2000 | - | $149,535,800 |
| 2001 | - | $159,453,500 |
| 2002 | - | $162,665,500 |
| 2003 | - | $154,559,900 |
| 2004 | - | $166,391,600 |
| 2005 | - | $191,048,400 |
| 2006 | - | $193,679,700 |
| 2007 | - | $200,903,600 |
| 2008 | - | $201,167,300 |
| 2009 | $23,356,470,000 | $189,998,000 |
| 2010 | $25,995,513,000 | $188,174,300 |
| 2011 | $29,005,020,000 | $198,873,900 |
| 2012 | $29,890,710,000 | $215,762,400 |
| 2013 | $30,588,922,000 | $225,345,700 |
| 2014 | $30,554,460,000 | $243,156,500 |
| 2015 | $30,723,030,000 | $278,824,800 |
| 2016 | $28,882,640,000 | $298,323,500 |
| 2017 | $29,105,440,000 | $285,600,000 |
| 2018 | $28,536,400,000 | $288,546,300 |
| 2019 | $28,222,880,000 | $281,941,600 |
| 2020 | $27,728,240,000 | $258,990,800 |
| 2021 | $32,301,720,000 | $235,752,900 |
| 2022 | $28,971,360,000 | $255,591,100 |
| 2023 | $32,155,360,000 | $281,849,100 |
| 2024 | $34,943,120,000 | - |
North Korea and Palau economies compared
GDP per capita
North Korea
Palau
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
| 1970 | - | $1,017 |
| 1971 | - | $1,081 |
| 1972 | - | $1,145 |
| 1973 | - | $1,221 |
| 1974 | - | $1,328 |
| 1975 | - | $1,464 |
| 1976 | - | $1,616 |
| 1977 | - | $1,781 |
| 1978 | - | $1,972 |
| 1979 | - | $2,189 |
| 1980 | - | $2,423 |
| 1981 | - | $2,639 |
| 1982 | - | $2,838 |
| 1983 | - | $3,049 |
| 1984 | - | $3,360 |
| 1985 | - | $3,728 |
| 1986 | - | $4,144 |
| 1987 | - | $4,616 |
| 1988 | - | $5,145 |
| 1989 | - | $5,741 |
| 1990 | - | $6,403 |
| 1991 | - | $6,824 |
| 1992 | - | $6,553 |
| 1993 | - | $5,892 |
| 1994 | - | $6,329 |
| 1995 | - | $7,038 |
| 1996 | - | $7,788 |
| 1997 | - | $7,945 |
| 1998 | - | $8,048 |
| 1999 | - | $7,630 |
| 2000 | - | $7,797 |
| 2001 | - | $8,240 |
| 2002 | - | $8,341 |
| 2003 | - | $7,862 |
| 2004 | - | $8,395 |
| 2005 | - | $9,640 |
| 2006 | - | $9,885 |
| 2007 | - | $10,408 |
| 2008 | - | $10,583 |
| 2009 | $939 | $10,155 |
| 2010 | $1,040 | $10,229 |
| 2011 | $1,156 | $11,001 |
| 2012 | $1,186 | $12,145 |
| 2013 | $1,208 | $12,769 |
| 2014 | $1,201 | $13,726 |
| 2015 | $1,201 | $15,691 |
| 2016 | $1,124 | $16,763 |
| 2017 | $1,127 | $16,034 |
| 2018 | $1,100 | $16,198 |
| 2019 | $1,084 | $15,841 |
| 2020 | $1,061 | $14,557 |
| 2021 | $1,231 | $13,257 |
| 2022 | $1,100 | $14,392 |
| 2023 | $1,217 | $15,899 |
| 2024 | $1,319 | - |
North Korea vs. Palau life expectancy calculator
Life expectancy
North Korea
Palau
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
| 1950 | 14.2 | 52.7 |
| 1951 | 17.7 | 52.9 |
| 1952 | 32.8 | 53.1 |
| 1953 | 40.3 | 53.3 |
| 1954 | 50.6 | 53.5 |
| 1955 | 51.8 | 53.7 |
| 1956 | 52.8 | 53.9 |
| 1957 | 53.7 | 54.1 |
| 1958 | 54.5 | 54.4 |
| 1959 | 55.2 | 54.6 |
| 1960 | 55.8 | 54.9 |
| 1961 | 56.4 | 55.1 |
| 1962 | 57 | 55.4 |
| 1963 | 57.6 | 55.6 |
| 1964 | 58.2 | 55.8 |
| 1965 | 58.8 | 55.9 |
| 1966 | 59.4 | 56.2 |
| 1967 | 60.1 | 56.5 |
| 1968 | 60.8 | 56.9 |
| 1969 | 61.4 | 57.3 |
| 1970 | 62 | 57.7 |
| 1971 | 62.7 | 58.1 |
| 1972 | 63.3 | 58.6 |
| 1973 | 63.8 | 59 |
| 1974 | 64.3 | 59.5 |
| 1975 | 64.8 | 60 |
| 1976 | 65.3 | 60.5 |
| 1977 | 65.8 | 60.9 |
| 1978 | 66.3 | 61.3 |
| 1979 | 66.7 | 61.6 |
| 1980 | 67.2 | 61.9 |
| 1981 | 67.7 | 62.1 |
| 1982 | 68.1 | 62.3 |
| 1983 | 68.5 | 62.5 |
| 1984 | 68.9 | 62.6 |
| 1985 | 69.2 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 69.5 | 62.8 |
| 1987 | 69.8 | 62.8 |
| 1988 | 70.1 | 62.8 |
| 1989 | 70.3 | 62.8 |
| 1990 | 70.5 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 70.7 | 62.8 |
| 1992 | 71 | 62.9 |
| 1993 | 70.8 | 63 |
| 1994 | 70.5 | 63.1 |
| 1995 | 60.8 | 63.3 |
| 1996 | 60.8 | 63.5 |
| 1997 | 60.9 | 63.7 |
| 1998 | 60.9 | 64 |
| 1999 | 60.9 | 64.2 |
| 2000 | 60.9 | 64.5 |
| 2001 | 60.9 | 64.8 |
| 2002 | 60.9 | 65.1 |
| 2003 | 69.4 | 65.4 |
| 2004 | 69.3 | 65.8 |
| 2005 | 69.2 | 66.2 |
| 2006 | 69.1 | 66.6 |
| 2007 | 69 | 67.1 |
| 2008 | 69.3 | 67.6 |
| 2009 | 69.7 | 68 |
| 2010 | 70.2 | 68.3 |
| 2011 | 70.8 | 68.6 |
| 2012 | 71.3 | 68.9 |
| 2013 | 71.9 | 69 |
| 2014 | 72.5 | 69.1 |
| 2015 | 72.8 | 69.1 |
| 2016 | 73 | 69 |
| 2017 | 73 | 69 |
| 2018 | 73 | 69 |
| 2019 | 72.9 | 69 |
| 2020 | 72.8 | 68.7 |
| 2021 | 73.4 | 68.6 |
| 2022 | 73.6 | 68.9 |
| 2023 | 73.6 | 69.3 |
| 2024 | 73.7 | 69.4 |
| 2025 | 73.9 | 69.5 |
North Korea and Palau population clocks and comparison
Population
North Korea
Palau
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
| 1960 | 11,722,953 | 9,328 |
| 1961 | 11,990,713 | 9,555 |
| 1962 | 12,262,882 | 9,793 |
| 1963 | 12,567,057 | 10,037 |
| 1964 | 12,889,770 | 10,292 |
| 1965 | 13,219,369 | 10,547 |
| 1966 | 13,569,094 | 10,805 |
| 1967 | 13,958,350 | 10,988 |
| 1968 | 14,365,596 | 11,080 |
| 1969 | 14,767,615 | 11,159 |
| 1970 | 15,172,775 | 11,368 |
| 1971 | 15,572,457 | 11,759 |
| 1972 | 15,975,069 | 12,194 |
| 1973 | 16,350,367 | 12,552 |
| 1974 | 16,673,121 | 12,687 |
| 1975 | 16,971,055 | 12,655 |
| 1976 | 17,243,450 | 12,598 |
| 1977 | 17,492,798 | 12,525 |
| 1978 | 17,735,995 | 12,440 |
| 1979 | 17,983,470 | 12,337 |
| 1980 | 18,236,786 | 12,271 |
| 1981 | 18,501,295 | 12,402 |
| 1982 | 18,776,357 | 12,694 |
| 1983 | 19,054,034 | 13,006 |
| 1984 | 19,335,043 | 13,337 |
| 1985 | 19,620,388 | 13,688 |
| 1986 | 19,910,855 | 14,024 |
| 1987 | 20,205,483 | 14,334 |
| 1988 | 20,503,161 | 14,645 |
| 1989 | 20,804,367 | 14,945 |
| 1990 | 21,112,137 | 15,259 |
| 1991 | 21,428,638 | 15,614 |
| 1992 | 21,750,911 | 15,989 |
| 1993 | 22,073,352 | 16,372 |
| 1994 | 22,393,975 | 16,770 |
| 1995 | 22,669,304 | 17,195 |
| 1996 | 22,895,746 | 17,654 |
| 1997 | 23,110,830 | 18,108 |
| 1998 | 23,311,564 | 18,524 |
| 1999 | 23,497,599 | 18,901 |
| 2000 | 23,665,910 | 19,178 |
| 2001 | 23,815,358 | 19,352 |
| 2002 | 23,943,973 | 19,503 |
| 2003 | 24,090,380 | 19,659 |
| 2004 | 24,254,943 | 19,820 |
| 2005 | 24,396,433 | 19,819 |
| 2006 | 24,524,507 | 19,593 |
| 2007 | 24,646,383 | 19,302 |
| 2008 | 24,764,618 | 19,009 |
| 2009 | 24,878,332 | 18,709 |
| 2010 | 24,987,258 | 18,396 |
| 2011 | 25,097,874 | 18,078 |
| 2012 | 25,211,728 | 17,765 |
| 2013 | 25,329,451 | 17,648 |
| 2014 | 25,451,262 | 17,715 |
| 2015 | 25,575,350 | 17,770 |
| 2016 | 25,698,326 | 17,797 |
| 2017 | 25,817,709 | 17,812 |
| 2018 | 25,931,147 | 17,814 |
| 2019 | 26,037,632 | 17,798 |
| 2020 | 26,136,312 | 17,792 |
| 2021 | 26,232,534 | 17,783 |
| 2022 | 26,328,845 | 17,759 |
| 2023 | 26,418,204 | 17,727 |
| 2024 | 26,498,823 | 17,695 |
Fertility rates in North Korea and Palau
Fertility rate
North Korea
Palau
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
| 1960 | 3.57 | 7.19 |
| 1961 | 3.26 | 7.17 |
| 1962 | 3.41 | 7.15 |
| 1963 | 3.63 | 7.12 |
| 1964 | 3.55 | 7.08 |
| 1965 | 3.56 | 7.01 |
| 1966 | 3.71 | 6.93 |
| 1967 | 4.05 | 6.84 |
| 1968 | 3.87 | 6.71 |
| 1969 | 3.86 | 6.58 |
| 1970 | 3.85 | 6.39 |
| 1971 | 3.74 | 6.16 |
| 1972 | 3.89 | 5.9 |
| 1973 | 3.35 | 5.59 |
| 1974 | 3.14 | 5.26 |
| 1975 | 3.05 | 4.9 |
| 1976 | 2.84 | 4.53 |
| 1977 | 2.77 | 4.09 |
| 1978 | 2.79 | 3.74 |
| 1979 | 2.85 | 3.49 |
| 1980 | 2.84 | 3.35 |
| 1981 | 2.92 | 3.28 |
| 1982 | 2.85 | 3.22 |
| 1983 | 2.78 | 3.14 |
| 1984 | 2.71 | 3.08 |
| 1985 | 2.65 | 3.01 |
| 1986 | 2.59 | 2.98 |
| 1987 | 2.53 | 2.93 |
| 1988 | 2.47 | 2.91 |
| 1989 | 2.41 | 2.92 |
| 1990 | 2.39 | 2.88 |
| 1991 | 2.35 | 2.74 |
| 1992 | 2.29 | 2.71 |
| 1993 | 2.22 | 2.73 |
| 1994 | 2.18 | 2.66 |
| 1995 | 2.15 | 2.55 |
| 1996 | 2.09 | 2.39 |
| 1997 | 2.03 | 2.19 |
| 1998 | 1.99 | 2.01 |
| 1999 | 1.97 | 1.91 |
| 2000 | 1.94 | 1.82 |
| 2001 | 1.94 | 1.87 |
| 2002 | 1.92 | 1.92 |
| 2003 | 1.91 | 1.96 |
| 2004 | 1.9 | 1.99 |
| 2005 | 1.87 | 2.02 |
| 2006 | 1.94 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1.94 | 1.97 |
| 2008 | 1.97 | 1.95 |
| 2009 | 1.91 | 1.94 |
| 2010 | 1.89 | 1.94 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | 1.97 |
| 2012 | 1.88 | 2.01 |
| 2013 | 1.88 | 2.05 |
| 2014 | 1.87 | 2.03 |
| 2015 | 1.86 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1.86 | 2.06 |
| 2017 | 1.85 | 2.02 |
| 2018 | 1.83 | 1.97 |
| 2019 | 1.83 | 1.98 |
| 2020 | 1.82 | 1.97 |
| 2021 | 1.81 | 1.95 |
| 2022 | 1.8 | 1.93 |
| 2023 | 1.78 | 1.91 |
North Korea and Palau demographics compared
Median age
North Korea
Palau
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
| 1960 | 19.9 | 16.7 |
| 1961 | 20.2 | 16.1 |
| 1962 | 20.6 | 15.5 |
| 1963 | 20.8 | 15.1 |
| 1964 | 21 | 15 |
| 1965 | 21.2 | 14.9 |
| 1966 | 21.3 | 14.9 |
| 1967 | 21.4 | 15.2 |
| 1968 | 21.4 | 15.7 |
| 1969 | 21.4 | 16.1 |
| 1970 | 21.4 | 16.5 |
| 1971 | 21.2 | 16.6 |
| 1972 | 20.9 | 16.6 |
| 1973 | 20.7 | 16.8 |
| 1974 | 20.7 | 17.1 |
| 1975 | 20.9 | 17.4 |
| 1976 | 21.1 | 17.8 |
| 1977 | 21.4 | 18.1 |
| 1978 | 21.8 | 18.3 |
| 1979 | 22.2 | 18.6 |
| 1980 | 22.5 | 18.9 |
| 1981 | 22.8 | 19.3 |
| 1982 | 23.1 | 19.9 |
| 1983 | 23.5 | 20.5 |
| 1984 | 23.9 | 21.1 |
| 1985 | 24.2 | 21.6 |
| 1986 | 24.5 | 22.2 |
| 1987 | 24.8 | 23.1 |
| 1988 | 25.1 | 24 |
| 1989 | 25.6 | 24.9 |
| 1990 | 26 | 25.6 |
| 1991 | 26.4 | 26 |
| 1992 | 26.8 | 26.4 |
| 1993 | 27.2 | 26.9 |
| 1994 | 27.6 | 27.4 |
| 1995 | 28 | 27.8 |
| 1996 | 28.3 | 28.3 |
| 1997 | 28.8 | 28.8 |
| 1998 | 29.2 | 29.4 |
| 1999 | 29.6 | 30.2 |
| 2000 | 30.1 | 30.8 |
| 2001 | 30.5 | 31.2 |
| 2002 | 31 | 31.5 |
| 2003 | 31.4 | 31.8 |
| 2004 | 31.8 | 32 |
| 2005 | 32.1 | 32.3 |
| 2006 | 32.5 | 32.7 |
| 2007 | 32.9 | 33.1 |
| 2008 | 33.3 | 33.5 |
| 2009 | 33.7 | 33.9 |
| 2010 | 34 | 34.2 |
| 2011 | 34.3 | 34.6 |
| 2012 | 34.5 | 35 |
| 2013 | 34.7 | 35.3 |
| 2014 | 35 | 35.6 |
| 2015 | 35.2 | 36 |
| 2016 | 35.4 | 36.3 |
| 2017 | 35.7 | 36.7 |
| 2018 | 35.9 | 37 |
| 2019 | 36.2 | 37.4 |
| 2020 | 36.4 | 37.8 |
| 2021 | 36.6 | 38.1 |
| 2022 | 36.8 | 38.5 |
| 2023 | 37.1 | 38.8 |
| 2024 | 37.3 | 39.2 |
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for North Korea and Palau.
GDP per capita
GDP
Life expectancy
Population
Population density
Fertility rate
Median age
Land area
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method | n/a |
$249M
2023 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
53%
2025 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
3.53%
2023 |
| Armed forces personnel |
1,469,000
2020 |
n/a |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | n/a |
+2.29%
2025 |
| Unemployment rate |
25.6%
2013 |
0.77%
2020 |
| Services, % of GDP | n/a |
76.7%
2023 |
| Industry, % of GDP | n/a |
9.87%
2023 |
| Economic freedom index |
3
2025 |
62
2025 |
| Personal remittances received | n/a |
$1.95M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals | n/a |
18,399
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports | n/a |
93.5%
2017 |
Energy
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
641 kg
2022 |
4,814 kg
1990 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use | n/a |
$1.99
1990 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
64.3 megatons
2023 |
1.44 megatons
2023 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
2.43 tons
2023 |
81.2 tons
2023 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
85.1%
2022 |
0%
1990 |
| Renewable energy use share |
14.7%
2021 |
0.9%
2022 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
8.5%
2022 |
n/a |
| Net energy imports use share |
4.9%
2022 |
n/a |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
830 kWh
2022 |
n/a |
| Renewable electricity output share |
63.2%
2021 |
4.6%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
62.7%
2022 |
0%
2021 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
57.5%
2023 |
100%
2023 |
Society
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.33%
2024 |
0.0002%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-2,473
2024 |
-14
2024 |
| Urban population |
63.5%
2024 |
82.8%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
50:50
2024 |
50:50
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.73 ft
2025 |
5.6 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.29 ft
2025 |
5.23 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
11.8
2025 |
47.9
2025 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
15
2024 |
49
2025 |
| Higher education index |
12
2025 |
n/a |
| Homicides per 100K people |
4.4
2015 |
11.2
2018 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
24.2
2019 |
4.78
2013 |
| Visa free countries |
51
2025 |
123
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
100%
2018 |
100%
2020 |
| English speaking |
0%
2025 |
92.5%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
0%
2012 |
27%
2004 |
Health
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$1,979
2022 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$328
2022 |
| Life expectancy |
73.9 years
2025 |
69.5 years
2025 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure | n/a |
21.3%
2022 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
3.67
2017 |
1.78
2020 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
67
2023 |
89
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age, per 1,000 live births |
18
2023 |
22.3
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
11.1%
2022 |
42.1%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
9.9%
2024 |
19.3%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
42
2025 |
65
2025 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
16.5%
2022 |
17.3%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.87 liters
2020 |
n/a |
Territory
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.08%
2025 |
0.0003%
2025 |
| Land area per capita |
1,754 sq mi
2024 |
10,037 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
10,021 sq mi
2025 |
16.6 sq mi
2025 |
| Forest area |
23,036 sq mi
2025 |
160.8 sq mi
2025 |
| Roads length |
15,879 mi
2006 |
n/a |
In-depth comparisons
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