North Korea has a population of 26.5M (ranked 56/197), compared with 5.29M in Palestine (ranked 122/197). North Korea's land area is 46,491 sq mi versus 2,326 sq mi for Palestine (ranked 97th vs. 164th).
By GDP, North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B) and Palestine ranks 146/197 ($13.7B). By GDP per capita, North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319), while Palestine ranks 147/197 ($2,592).
Main facts and rankings
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
26659144
|
5500288
|
| Population rank | 57/197 | 123/197 |
| GDP |
$34.9B
2024 |
$13.7B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 106/197 | 146/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,319
2024 |
$2,592
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 168/197 | 147/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,700
2015 |
$4,371
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,426
2026 |
$6,862
2026 |
| Land area | 46,491 sq mi | 2,326 sq mi |
| Population density |
573 ppl/mi²
2026 |
2,352 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.78
2023 |
3.31
2023 |
| Median age |
37.3 years
2024 |
20.9 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
74 years
2026 |
77.4 years
2026 |
North Korea and Palestine: Comparison Charts
North Korea and Palestine economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
| 2024 | $34,943,120,000 | $13,711,100,000 |
| 2023 | $32,155,360,000 | $17,847,900,000 |
| 2022 | $28,971,360,000 | $19,165,500,000 |
| 2021 | $32,301,720,000 | $18,109,000,000 |
| 2020 | $27,728,240,000 | $15,531,700,000 |
| 2019 | $28,222,880,000 | $17,133,500,000 |
| 2018 | $28,536,400,000 | $16,276,600,000 |
| 2017 | $29,105,440,000 | $16,128,000,000 |
| 2016 | $28,882,640,000 | $15,405,400,000 |
| 2015 | $30,723,030,000 | $13,972,400,000 |
| 2014 | $30,554,460,000 | $13,989,700,000 |
| 2013 | $30,588,922,000 | $13,515,500,000 |
| 2012 | $29,890,710,000 | $12,208,400,000 |
| 2011 | $29,005,020,000 | $11,186,100,000 |
| 2010 | $25,995,513,000 | $9,681,500,000 |
| 2009 | $23,356,470,000 | $8,085,700,000 |
| 2008 | - | $7,310,400,000 |
| 2007 | - | $5,815,700,000 |
| 2006 | - | $5,348,300,000 |
| 2005 | - | $5,125,700,000 |
| 2004 | - | $4,603,100,000 |
| 2003 | - | $3,968,000,000 |
| 2002 | - | $3,555,800,000 |
| 2001 | - | $4,003,700,000 |
| 2000 | - | $4,313,600,000 |
| 1999 | - | $4,271,200,000 |
| 1998 | - | $4,067,800,000 |
| 1997 | - | $3,759,800,000 |
| 1996 | - | $3,409,600,000 |
| 1995 | - | $3,282,800,000 |
| 1994 | - | $2,843,300,000 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/palestine | CC BY 
North Korea and Palestine economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
| 2024 | $1,319 | $2,592 |
| 2023 | $1,217 | $3,455 |
| 2022 | $1,100 | $3,800 |
| 2021 | $1,231 | $3,679 |
| 2020 | $1,061 | $3,234 |
| 2019 | $1,084 | $3,657 |
| 2018 | $1,100 | $3,562 |
| 2017 | $1,127 | $3,620 |
| 2016 | $1,124 | $3,528 |
| 2015 | $1,201 | $3,272 |
| 2014 | $1,201 | $3,352 |
| 2013 | $1,208 | $3,315 |
| 2012 | $1,186 | $3,067 |
| 2011 | $1,156 | $2,881 |
| 2010 | $1,040 | $2,557 |
| 2009 | $939 | $2,192 |
| 2008 | - | $2,035 |
| 2007 | - | $1,664 |
| 2006 | - | $1,570 |
| 2005 | - | $1,544 |
| 2004 | - | $1,422 |
| 2003 | - | $1,258 |
| 2002 | - | $1,156 |
| 2001 | - | $1,336 |
| 2000 | - | $1,476 |
| 1999 | - | $1,499 |
| 1998 | - | $1,465 |
| 1997 | - | $1,389 |
| 1996 | - | $1,317 |
| 1995 | - | $1,327 |
| 1994 | - | $1,202 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/palestine | CC BY
North Korea vs. Palestine life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
| 2026 | 74 | 77.4 |
| 2025 | 73.9 | 73.1 |
| 2024 | 73.7 | 69.2 |
| 2023 | 73.6 | 65.2 |
| 2022 | 73.6 | 76.7 |
| 2021 | 73.4 | 73.9 |
| 2020 | 72.8 | 75 |
| 2019 | 72.9 | 75.8 |
| 2018 | 73 | 75.4 |
| 2017 | 73 | 75.2 |
| 2016 | 73 | 74.9 |
| 2015 | 72.8 | 74.6 |
| 2014 | 72.5 | 72.8 |
| 2013 | 71.9 | 74.1 |
| 2012 | 71.3 | 73.7 |
| 2011 | 70.8 | 73.6 |
| 2010 | 70.2 | 73.3 |
| 2009 | 69.7 | 72.3 |
| 2008 | 69.3 | 72.2 |
| 2007 | 69 | 72.1 |
| 2006 | 69.1 | 71.8 |
| 2005 | 69.2 | 72 |
| 2004 | 69.3 | 71.1 |
| 2003 | 69.4 | 71 |
| 2002 | 60.9 | 70.9 |
| 2001 | 60.9 | 69.8 |
| 2000 | 60.9 | 70.3 |
| 1999 | 60.9 | 70.8 |
| 1998 | 60.9 | 70.6 |
| 1997 | 60.9 | 70.3 |
| 1996 | 60.8 | 70 |
| 1995 | 60.8 | 69.6 |
| 1994 | 70.5 | 69.3 |
| 1993 | 70.8 | 68.8 |
| 1992 | 71 | 68.5 |
| 1991 | 70.7 | 68.2 |
| 1990 | 70.5 | 67.8 |
| 1989 | 70.3 | 67.1 |
| 1988 | 70.1 | 66.7 |
| 1987 | 69.8 | 66.3 |
| 1986 | 69.5 | 65.7 |
| 1985 | 69.2 | 65.3 |
| 1984 | 68.9 | 64.7 |
| 1983 | 68.5 | 64.1 |
| 1982 | 68.1 | 63.5 |
| 1981 | 67.7 | 62.8 |
| 1980 | 67.2 | 62.2 |
| 1979 | 66.7 | 61.5 |
| 1978 | 66.3 | 60.8 |
| 1977 | 65.8 | 60.1 |
| 1976 | 65.3 | 59.4 |
| 1975 | 64.8 | 58.7 |
| 1974 | 64.3 | 58 |
| 1973 | 63.8 | 57.6 |
| 1972 | 63.3 | 56.7 |
| 1971 | 62.7 | 56 |
| 1970 | 62 | 55.4 |
| 1969 | 61.4 | 54.7 |
| 1968 | 60.8 | 54.1 |
| 1967 | 60.1 | 50.9 |
| 1966 | 59.4 | 52.8 |
| 1965 | 58.8 | 52.2 |
| 1964 | 58.2 | 51.6 |
| 1963 | 57.6 | 51 |
| 1962 | 57 | 50.4 |
| 1961 | 56.4 | 49.8 |
| 1960 | 55.8 | 49.3 |
| 1959 | 55.2 | 48.8 |
| 1958 | 54.5 | 48.4 |
| 1957 | 53.7 | 48 |
| 1956 | 52.8 | 47.6 |
| 1955 | 51.8 | 47.2 |
| 1954 | 50.6 | 46.9 |
| 1953 | 40.3 | 46.6 |
| 1952 | 32.8 | 46.3 |
| 1951 | 17.7 | 46 |
| 1950 | 14.2 | 45.7 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/palestine | CC BY
North Korea and Palestine population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
| 2024 | 26,498,823 | 5,289,152 |
| 2023 | 26,418,204 | 5,165,775 |
| 2022 | 26,328,845 | 5,043,612 |
| 2021 | 26,232,534 | 4,922,749 |
| 2020 | 26,136,312 | 4,803,269 |
| 2019 | 26,037,632 | 4,685,306 |
| 2018 | 25,931,147 | 4,569,087 |
| 2017 | 25,817,709 | 4,454,805 |
| 2016 | 25,698,326 | 4,367,088 |
| 2015 | 25,575,350 | 4,270,092 |
| 2014 | 25,451,262 | 4,173,398 |
| 2013 | 25,329,451 | 4,076,708 |
| 2012 | 25,211,728 | 3,979,998 |
| 2011 | 25,097,874 | 3,882,986 |
| 2010 | 24,987,258 | 3,786,161 |
| 2009 | 24,878,332 | 3,689,099 |
| 2008 | 24,764,618 | 3,591,977 |
| 2007 | 24,646,383 | 3,494,496 |
| 2006 | 24,524,507 | 3,406,334 |
| 2005 | 24,396,433 | 3,320,396 |
| 2004 | 24,254,943 | 3,236,626 |
| 2003 | 24,090,380 | 3,154,969 |
| 2002 | 23,943,973 | 3,075,373 |
| 2001 | 23,815,358 | 2,997,784 |
| 2000 | 23,665,910 | 2,922,153 |
| 1999 | 23,497,599 | 2,848,431 |
| 1998 | 23,311,564 | 2,776,568 |
| 1997 | 23,110,830 | 2,706,518 |
| 1996 | 22,895,746 | 2,587,997 |
| 1995 | 22,669,304 | 2,474,666 |
| 1994 | 22,393,975 | 2,366,298 |
| 1993 | 22,073,352 | 2,262,676 |
| 1992 | 21,750,911 | 2,163,591 |
| 1991 | 21,428,638 | 2,068,845 |
| 1990 | 21,112,137 | 1,978,248 |
| 1989 | 20,804,367 | - |
| 1988 | 20,503,161 | - |
| 1987 | 20,205,483 | - |
| 1986 | 19,910,855 | - |
| 1985 | 19,620,388 | - |
| 1984 | 19,335,043 | - |
| 1983 | 19,054,034 | - |
| 1982 | 18,776,357 | - |
| 1981 | 18,501,295 | - |
| 1980 | 18,236,786 | - |
| 1979 | 17,983,470 | - |
| 1978 | 17,735,995 | - |
| 1977 | 17,492,798 | - |
| 1976 | 17,243,450 | - |
| 1975 | 16,971,055 | - |
| 1974 | 16,673,121 | - |
| 1973 | 16,350,367 | - |
| 1972 | 15,975,069 | - |
| 1971 | 15,572,457 | - |
| 1970 | 15,172,775 | - |
| 1969 | 14,767,615 | - |
| 1968 | 14,365,596 | - |
| 1967 | 13,958,350 | - |
| 1966 | 13,569,094 | - |
| 1965 | 13,219,369 | - |
| 1964 | 12,889,770 | - |
| 1963 | 12,567,057 | - |
| 1962 | 12,262,882 | - |
| 1961 | 11,990,713 | - |
| 1960 | 11,722,953 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/palestine | CC BY
Fertility rates in North Korea and Palestine
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
| 2023 | 1.78 | 3.31 |
| 2022 | 1.8 | 3.38 |
| 2021 | 1.81 | 3.44 |
| 2020 | 1.82 | 3.51 |
| 2019 | 1.83 | 3.59 |
| 2018 | 1.83 | 3.67 |
| 2017 | 1.85 | 3.77 |
| 2016 | 1.86 | 3.89 |
| 2015 | 1.86 | 3.98 |
| 2014 | 1.87 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1.88 | 4.05 |
| 2012 | 1.88 | 4.15 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | 4.31 |
| 2010 | 1.89 | 4.43 |
| 2009 | 1.91 | 4.44 |
| 2008 | 1.97 | 4.51 |
| 2007 | 1.94 | 4.63 |
| 2006 | 1.94 | 4.74 |
| 2005 | 1.87 | 4.87 |
| 2004 | 1.9 | 4.97 |
| 2003 | 1.91 | 5.06 |
| 2002 | 1.92 | 5.22 |
| 2001 | 1.94 | 5.34 |
| 2000 | 1.94 | 5.46 |
| 1999 | 1.97 | 5.58 |
| 1998 | 1.99 | 5.69 |
| 1997 | 2.03 | 5.82 |
| 1996 | 2.09 | 5.99 |
| 1995 | 2.15 | 6.16 |
| 1994 | 2.18 | 6.33 |
| 1993 | 2.22 | 6.5 |
| 1992 | 2.29 | 6.65 |
| 1991 | 2.35 | 6.75 |
| 1990 | 2.39 | 6.81 |
| 1989 | 2.41 | - |
| 1988 | 2.47 | - |
| 1987 | 2.53 | - |
| 1986 | 2.59 | - |
| 1985 | 2.65 | - |
| 1984 | 2.71 | - |
| 1983 | 2.78 | - |
| 1982 | 2.85 | - |
| 1981 | 2.92 | - |
| 1980 | 2.84 | - |
| 1979 | 2.85 | - |
| 1978 | 2.79 | - |
| 1977 | 2.77 | - |
| 1976 | 2.84 | - |
| 1975 | 3.05 | - |
| 1974 | 3.14 | - |
| 1973 | 3.35 | - |
| 1972 | 3.89 | - |
| 1971 | 3.74 | - |
| 1970 | 3.85 | - |
| 1969 | 3.86 | - |
| 1968 | 3.87 | - |
| 1967 | 4.05 | - |
| 1966 | 3.71 | - |
| 1965 | 3.56 | - |
| 1964 | 3.55 | - |
| 1963 | 3.63 | - |
| 1962 | 3.41 | - |
| 1961 | 3.26 | - |
| 1960 | 3.57 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/palestine | CC BY
North Korea and Palestine demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
| 2024 | 37.3 | 20.9 |
| 2023 | 37.1 | 20.8 |
| 2022 | 36.8 | 20.6 |
| 2021 | 36.6 | 20.4 |
| 2020 | 36.4 | 20.3 |
| 2019 | 36.2 | 20.2 |
| 2018 | 35.9 | 20 |
| 2017 | 35.7 | 19.9 |
| 2016 | 35.4 | 19.8 |
| 2015 | 35.2 | 19.6 |
| 2014 | 35 | 19.4 |
| 2013 | 34.7 | 19.1 |
| 2012 | 34.5 | 18.9 |
| 2011 | 34.3 | 18.6 |
| 2010 | 34 | 18.4 |
| 2009 | 33.7 | 18.1 |
| 2008 | 33.3 | 17.9 |
| 2007 | 32.9 | 17.6 |
| 2006 | 32.5 | 17.4 |
| 2005 | 32.1 | 17.1 |
| 2004 | 31.8 | 16.9 |
| 2003 | 31.4 | 16.7 |
| 2002 | 31 | 16.5 |
| 2001 | 30.5 | 16.3 |
| 2000 | 30.1 | 16.2 |
| 1999 | 29.6 | 16 |
| 1998 | 29.2 | 15.9 |
| 1997 | 28.8 | 15.8 |
| 1996 | 28.3 | 15.7 |
| 1995 | 28 | 15.6 |
| 1994 | 27.6 | 15.5 |
| 1993 | 27.2 | 15.5 |
| 1992 | 26.8 | 15.4 |
| 1991 | 26.4 | 15.4 |
| 1990 | 26 | 15.4 |
| 1989 | 25.6 | - |
| 1988 | 25.1 | - |
| 1987 | 24.8 | - |
| 1986 | 24.5 | - |
| 1985 | 24.2 | - |
| 1984 | 23.9 | - |
| 1983 | 23.5 | - |
| 1982 | 23.1 | - |
| 1981 | 22.8 | - |
| 1980 | 22.5 | - |
| 1979 | 22.2 | - |
| 1978 | 21.8 | - |
| 1977 | 21.4 | - |
| 1976 | 21.1 | - |
| 1975 | 20.9 | - |
| 1974 | 20.7 | - |
| 1973 | 20.7 | - |
| 1972 | 20.9 | - |
| 1971 | 21.2 | - |
| 1970 | 21.4 | - |
| 1969 | 21.4 | - |
| 1968 | 21.4 | - |
| 1967 | 21.4 | - |
| 1966 | 21.3 | - |
| 1965 | 21.2 | - |
| 1964 | 21 | - |
| 1963 | 20.8 | - |
| 1962 | 20.6 | - |
| 1961 | 20.2 | - |
| 1960 | 19.9 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/palestine | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for North Korea and Palestine.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method | n/a |
$14.3B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
20%
2025 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
5.43%
2021 |
| Armed forces personnel |
1,469,000
2020 |
0
2020 |
| Unemployment rate |
25.6%
2013 |
31.4%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP | n/a |
58.5%
2023 |
| Industry, % of GDP | n/a |
15.6%
2023 |
| Economic freedom index |
3.1
2026 |
30
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% | n/a |
27.1%
2023 |
| Income share by poorest 10% | n/a |
2.5%
2023 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
48
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$4.08B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold | n/a |
$1.33B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received | n/a |
$736M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals | n/a |
93,000
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports | n/a |
9.43%
2018 |
| Banked people share | n/a |
39.6%
2024 |
Energy
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
641 kg
2022 |
n/a |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
66.2 megatons
2024 |
n/a |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
2.5 tons
2024 |
n/a |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
85.1%
2022 |
n/a |
| Renewable energy use share |
14.7%
2021 |
15.4%
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 |
24.5%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
62.7%
2022 |
0%
2021 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
57.5%
2023 |
100%
2023 |
Society
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.33%
2024 |
0.07%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-2,787
2025 |
-23,156
2025 |
| Urban population |
63.9%
2024 |
87.1%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.5:50.5
2024 |
49.6:50.4
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.73 ft
2025 |
5.74 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.29 ft
2025 |
5.29 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
10.1
2026 |
35.4
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
15
2025 |
18
2025 |
| Higher education index |
10
2026 |
49
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
4.4
2015 |
1.41
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
24.2
2019 |
5.3
2016 |
| Visa free countries |
48
2025 |
47
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
100%
2018 |
97.9%
2024 |
| English speaking |
0%
2025 |
20%
2025 |
| People using the Internet |
0%
2012 |
86.6%
2023 |
Health
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$346
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$145.4
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
74 years
2026 |
77.4 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure | n/a |
8.65%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
3.63
2017 |
2.17
2018 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
67
2023 |
16
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
18
2023 |
26.3
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
11.1%
2022 |
38.5%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
9.9%
2024 |
15.5%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
42
2026 |
45
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
16.5%
2022 |
n/a |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.87 liters
2020 |
n/a |
Territory
|
North Korea
|
Palestine
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.08%
2026 |
0.004%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
1,754 sq mi
2024 |
440 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
10,021 sq mi
2026 |
1,510 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
23,036 sq mi
2026 |
39.2 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
15,879 mi
2006 |
n/a |
In-depth comparisons
Help us show the world through your eyes
Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.
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)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
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.