Skip to content

North Korea vs Papua New Guinea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

North Korea has a population of 26.5M (ranked 56/197), compared with 10.6M in Papua New Guinea (ranked 92/197). North Korea's land area is 46,491 sq mi versus 174,850 sq mi for Papua New Guinea (ranked 97th vs. 54th).

By GDP, North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B) and Papua New Guinea ranks 110/197 ($31.8B). By GDP per capita, North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319), while Papua New Guinea ranks 140/197 ($3,007).

Main facts and rankings

North Korea Papua New Guinea
Population
26659144
11002753
Population rank 57/197 89/197
GDP
$34.9B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank 106/197 110/197
GDP per capita
$1,319
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank 168/197 140/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,700
2015
$4,875
2024
Government debt n/a
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a 129/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,426
2026
$2,362
2026
Land area 46,491 sq mi 174,850 sq mi
Population density
573 ppl/mi²
2026
62.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.78
2023
3.1
2023
Median age
37.3 years
2024
23.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
74 years
2026
66.5 years
2026

North Korea and Papua New Guinea: Comparison Charts

North Korea and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP
North Korea

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP
North Korea Papua New Guinea
2024 $34,943,120,000 $31,800,428,266
2023 $32,155,360,000 $30,816,367,067
2022 $28,971,360,000 $31,653,185,953
2021 $32,301,720,000 $26,109,413,521
2020 $27,728,240,000 $23,848,447,850
2019 $28,222,880,000 $24,750,626,030
2018 $28,536,400,000 $24,109,780,708
2017 $29,105,440,000 $22,742,699,138
2016 $28,882,640,000 $20,758,876,953
2015 $30,723,030,000 $21,723,437,010
2014 $30,554,460,000 $23,210,823,987
2013 $30,588,922,000 $21,261,338,065
2012 $29,890,710,000 $21,295,168,666
2011 $29,005,020,000 $17,985,138,066
2010 $25,995,513,000 $14,250,786,675
2009 $23,356,470,000 $11,619,456,449
2008 - $11,670,892,801
2007 - $9,545,028,944
2006 - $8,354,911,041
2005 - $4,865,892,972
2004 - $3,927,157,867
2003 - $3,536,411,824
2002 - $2,999,511,040
2001 - $3,081,024,212
2000 - $3,521,339,699
1999 - $3,477,038,204
1998 - $3,789,443,015
1997 - $4,936,615,299
1996 - $5,155,311,077
1995 - $4,636,057,476
1994 - $5,502,786,070
1993 - $4,974,550,286
1992 - $4,377,980,510
1991 - $3,787,394,958
1990 - $3,219,729,083
1989 - $3,546,472,566
1988 - $3,656,177,881
1987 - $3,143,851,794
1986 - $2,647,995,602
1985 - $2,423,339,172
1984 - $2,552,662,617
1983 - $2,562,351,551
1982 - $2,368,719,683
1981 - $2,498,190,847
1980 - $2,545,808,456
1979 - $2,293,760,511
1978 - $1,947,878,831
1977 - $1,640,746,619
1976 - $1,511,843,235
1975 - $1,356,603,608
1974 - $1,467,417,672
1973 - $1,299,079,410
1972 - $858,761,926
1971 - $717,750,278
1970 - $645,568,215
1969 - $551,263,864
1968 - $485,184,190
1967 - $441,728,183
1966 - $390,992,063
1965 - $344,176,055
1964 - $305,312,049
1963 - $275,968,044
1962 - $261,184,042
1961 - $244,832,039
1960 - $230,496,037

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

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

North Korea and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP per capita
North Korea

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP per capita
North Korea Papua New Guinea
2024 $1,319 $3,007
2023 $1,217 $2,966
2022 $1,100 $3,102
2021 $1,231 $2,608
2020 $1,061 $2,430
2019 $1,084 $2,576
2018 $1,100 $2,566
2017 $1,127 $2,478
2016 $1,124 $2,316
2015 $1,201 $2,485
2014 $1,201 $2,723
2013 $1,208 $2,561
2012 $1,186 $2,635
2011 $1,156 $2,288
2010 $1,040 $1,867
2009 $939 $1,569
2008 - $1,625
2007 - $1,371
2006 - $1,238
2005 - $744
2004 - $621
2003 - $577
2002 - $506
2001 - $538
2000 - $636
1999 - $650
1998 - $733
1997 - $990
1996 - $1,071
1995 - $998
1994 - $1,228
1993 - $1,151
1992 - $1,051
1991 - $942
1990 - $826
1989 - $934
1988 - $985
1987 - $865
1986 - $745
1985 - $697
1984 - $750
1983 - $769
1982 - $726
1981 - $781
1980 - $813
1979 - $748
1978 - $648
1977 - $558
1976 - $525
1975 - $482
1974 - $533
1973 - $483
1972 - $327
1971 - $279.7
1970 - $257.6
1969 - $225.3
1968 - $202.9
1967 - $189
1966 - $171.1
1965 - $153.9
1964 - $139.5
1963 - $128.9
1962 - $124.7
1961 - $119.7
1960 - $115.5

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

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

North Korea vs. Papua New Guinea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
North Korea

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
North Korea Papua New Guinea
2026 74 66.5
2025 73.9 66.4
2024 73.7 66.3
2023 73.6 66.1
2022 73.6 65.3
2021 73.4 64.4
2020 72.8 65.1
2019 72.9 65.3
2018 73 65.1
2017 73 64.9
2016 73 64.7
2015 72.8 64.5
2014 72.5 64.2
2013 71.9 63.9
2012 71.3 63.6
2011 70.8 63.4
2010 70.2 63.1
2009 69.7 62.8
2008 69.3 62.5
2007 69 62.2
2006 69.1 62
2005 69.2 61.9
2004 69.3 61.8
2003 69.4 61.7
2002 60.9 61.6
2001 60.9 61.6
2000 60.9 61.6
1999 60.9 61.5
1998 60.9 60.4
1997 60.9 61.3
1996 60.8 61.1
1995 60.8 60.9
1994 70.5 60.7
1993 70.8 60.5
1992 71 60.3
1991 70.7 59.9
1990 70.5 59.8
1989 70.3 59.6
1988 70.1 59.4
1987 69.8 59.2
1986 69.5 59
1985 69.2 58.8
1984 68.9 58.6
1983 68.5 58.3
1982 68.1 58.1
1981 67.7 57.8
1980 67.2 57.4
1979 66.7 57
1978 66.3 56.5
1977 65.8 56
1976 65.3 55.5
1975 64.8 55
1974 64.3 54.4
1973 63.8 53.9
1972 63.3 53.3
1971 62.7 52.6
1970 62 52.1
1969 61.4 51.5
1968 60.8 50.9
1967 60.1 50.2
1966 59.4 49.6
1965 58.8 48.9
1964 58.2 48.3
1963 57.6 47.7
1962 57 46.7
1961 56.4 46.4
1960 55.8 45.8
1959 55.2 45.1
1958 54.5 44.6
1957 53.7 43.9
1956 52.8 43.3
1955 51.8 42.6
1954 50.6 42
1953 40.3 41.3
1952 32.8 40.7
1951 17.7 35.5
1950 14.2 39.4

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

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

North Korea and Papua New Guinea population clocks and comparison

Population
North Korea

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Population
North Korea Papua New Guinea
2024 26,498,823 10,576,502
2023 26,418,204 10,389,635
2022 26,328,845 10,203,169
2021 26,232,534 10,012,896
2020 26,136,312 9,815,746
2019 26,037,632 9,609,010
2018 25,931,147 9,394,513
2017 25,817,709 9,178,714
2016 25,698,326 8,961,718
2015 25,575,350 8,743,246
2014 25,451,262 8,523,441
2013 25,329,451 8,302,698
2012 25,211,728 8,081,390
2011 25,097,874 7,859,346
2010 24,987,258 7,633,523
2009 24,878,332 7,406,438
2008 24,764,618 7,183,002
2007 24,646,383 6,963,345
2006 24,524,507 6,747,720
2005 24,396,433 6,535,905
2004 24,254,943 6,328,041
2003 24,090,380 6,123,997
2002 23,943,973 5,924,003
2001 23,815,358 5,728,435
2000 23,665,910 5,537,064
1999 23,497,599 5,349,333
1998 23,311,564 5,166,390
1997 23,110,830 4,987,883
1996 22,895,746 4,813,361
1995 22,669,304 4,644,278
1994 22,393,975 4,480,208
1993 22,073,352 4,320,872
1992 21,750,911 4,166,699
1991 21,428,638 4,021,837
1990 21,112,137 3,896,481
1989 20,804,367 3,796,078
1988 20,503,161 3,711,880
1987 20,205,483 3,632,543
1986 19,910,855 3,554,793
1985 19,620,388 3,478,936
1984 19,335,043 3,405,198
1983 19,054,034 3,333,633
1982 18,776,357 3,264,291
1981 18,501,295 3,197,019
1980 18,236,786 3,131,512
1979 17,983,470 3,067,341
1978 17,735,995 3,003,714
1977 17,492,798 2,940,327
1976 17,243,450 2,877,327
1975 16,971,055 2,814,820
1974 16,673,121 2,752,671
1973 16,350,367 2,690,629
1972 15,975,069 2,628,432
1971 15,572,457 2,566,421
1970 15,172,775 2,505,628
1969 14,767,615 2,446,927
1968 14,365,596 2,390,803
1967 13,958,350 2,337,532
1966 13,569,094 2,285,774
1965 13,219,369 2,235,820
1964 12,889,770 2,188,325
1963 12,567,057 2,141,376
1962 12,262,882 2,093,919
1961 11,990,713 2,046,127
1960 11,722,953 1,995,110

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

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

Fertility rates in North Korea and Papua New Guinea

Fertility rate
North Korea

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
North Korea Papua New Guinea
2023 1.78 3.1
2022 1.8 3.17
2021 1.81 3.22
2020 1.82 3.27
2019 1.83 3.32
2018 1.83 3.38
2017 1.85 3.43
2016 1.86 3.5
2015 1.86 3.56
2014 1.87 3.63
2013 1.88 3.68
2012 1.88 3.75
2011 1.88 3.82
2010 1.89 3.88
2009 1.91 3.94
2008 1.97 4.01
2007 1.94 4.08
2006 1.94 4.15
2005 1.87 4.22
2004 1.9 4.28
2003 1.91 4.36
2002 1.92 4.42
2001 1.94 4.47
2000 1.94 4.53
1999 1.97 4.59
1998 1.99 4.63
1997 2.03 4.68
1996 2.09 4.73
1995 2.15 4.78
1994 2.18 4.87
1993 2.22 4.96
1992 2.29 5.03
1991 2.35 5.11
1990 2.39 5.18
1989 2.41 5.24
1988 2.47 5.3
1987 2.53 5.36
1986 2.59 5.42
1985 2.65 5.47
1984 2.71 5.51
1983 2.78 5.56
1982 2.85 5.59
1981 2.92 5.65
1980 2.84 5.71
1979 2.85 5.79
1978 2.79 5.88
1977 2.77 5.96
1976 2.84 6.02
1975 3.05 6.07
1974 3.14 6.11
1973 3.35 6.16
1972 3.89 6.2
1971 3.74 6.23
1970 3.85 6.25
1969 3.86 6.26
1968 3.87 6.25
1967 4.05 6.24
1966 3.71 6.23
1965 3.56 6.2
1964 3.55 6.19
1963 3.63 6.15
1962 3.41 6.14
1961 3.26 6.07
1960 3.57 6.02

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

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

North Korea and Papua New Guinea demographics compared

Median age
North Korea

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Median age, years
North Korea Papua New Guinea
2024 37.3 23.6
2023 37.1 23.4
2022 36.8 23.2
2021 36.6 23
2020 36.4 22.8
2019 36.2 22.6
2018 35.9 22.4
2017 35.7 22.2
2016 35.4 22
2015 35.2 21.9
2014 35 21.7
2013 34.7 21.5
2012 34.5 21.3
2011 34.3 21.2
2010 34 21
2009 33.7 20.9
2008 33.3 20.7
2007 32.9 20.6
2006 32.5 20.4
2005 32.1 20.3
2004 31.8 20.2
2003 31.4 20
2002 31 19.9
2001 30.5 19.9
2000 30.1 19.8
1999 29.6 19.7
1998 29.2 19.6
1997 28.8 19.5
1996 28.3 19.4
1995 28 19.2
1994 27.6 19.1
1993 27.2 19
1992 26.8 18.9
1991 26.4 18.8
1990 26 18.7
1989 25.6 18.6
1988 25.1 18.6
1987 24.8 18.5
1986 24.5 18.5
1985 24.2 18.4
1984 23.9 18.3
1983 23.5 18.3
1982 23.1 18.2
1981 22.8 18.1
1980 22.5 18
1979 22.2 17.8
1978 21.8 17.7
1977 21.4 17.5
1976 21.1 17.4
1975 20.9 17.3
1974 20.7 17.2
1973 20.7 17.2
1972 20.9 17.1
1971 21.2 17.2
1970 21.4 17.3
1969 21.4 17.4
1968 21.4 17.5
1967 21.4 17.6
1966 21.3 17.8
1965 21.2 17.9
1964 21 18
1963 20.8 18.1
1962 20.6 18.3
1961 20.2 18.4
1960 19.9 18.5

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

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

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for North Korea and Papua New Guinea.

1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x

National statistics comparison

Finance

North Korea Papua New Guinea
GNI, Atlas method n/a
$30.7B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP n/a
20.4%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.78%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.31%
2024
Armed forces personnel
1,469,000
2020
4,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP n/a
-3.23%
2024
Unemployment rate
25.6%
2013
2.69%
2022
Services, % of GDP n/a
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
37.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
3.1
2026
54.3
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.9%
2009
Listed domestic companies n/a
6
2016
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.9B
2023
Personal remittances received n/a
$3.87M
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
39,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports n/a
0.04%
2018

Energy

North Korea Papua New Guinea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
641 kg
2022
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
66.2 megatons
2024
5.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.5 tons
2024
0.52 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
85.1%
2022
n/a
Renewable energy use share
14.7%
2021
54.6%
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
40%
2021
Hydroelectric share
62.7%
2022
35.3%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57.5%
2023
20.5%
2023

Society

North Korea Papua New Guinea
% of world population
0.33%
2024
0.13%
2024
Annual migration change
-2,787
2025
-284
2025
Urban population
63.9%
2024
15.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.5:50.5
2024
51.4:48.6
2024
Average male height
5.73 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Average female height
5.29 ft
2025
5.15 ft
2025
Quality of life index
10.1
2026
37.6
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
15
2025
26
2025
Higher education index
10
2026
30
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.4
2015
9.4
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
24.2
2019
12.6
2019
Visa free countries
48
2025
86
2025
Adult literacy rate
100%
2018
87.1%
2022
English speaking
0%
2025
70.4%
2023
People using the Internet
0%
2012
24.1%
2023

Health

North Korea Papua New Guinea
Government health expenditure per capita n/a
$85.2
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita n/a
$7.28
2023
Life expectancy
74 years
2026
66.5 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure n/a
18.2%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
3.63
2017
0.06
2023
Age at first childbirth n/a
21.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
67
2023
189
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
18
2023
40.3
2023
Obesity rate
11.1%
2022
21.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.9%
2024
14.1%
2024
Air quality index
42
2026
91
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
16.5%
2022
39.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.87 liters
2020
1.13 liters
2020

Territory

North Korea Papua New Guinea
% of world land
0.08%
2026
0.3%
2026
Land area per capita
1,754 sq mi
2024
16,532 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
10,021 sq mi
2026
5,425 sq mi
2026
Forest area
23,036 sq mi
2026
138,051 sq mi
2026
Roads length
15,879 mi
2006
5,809 mi
2011

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:

  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)

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.