North Korea has a population of 26.5M (ranked 56/197), compared with 11.9M in South Sudan (ranked 81/197). North Korea's land area is 46,491 sq mi versus 243,990 sq mi for South Sudan (ranked 97th vs. 41st).
By GDP, North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B) and South Sudan ranks 149/197 ($12B). By GDP per capita, North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319), while South Sudan ranks 175/197 ($1,080).
Main facts and rankings
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
26659144
|
12507858
|
| Population rank | 57/197 | 80/197 |
| GDP |
$34.9B
2024 |
$12B
2015 |
| GDP rank | 106/197 | 149/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,319
2024 |
$1,080
2015 |
| GDP per capita rank | 168/197 | 175/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,700
2015 |
$1,155
2015 |
| Government debt | n/a |
$7.04B
2015 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio | n/a |
50.7%
2024 |
| Government debt per person | n/a |
$633
2015 |
| Government debt per person rank | n/a | 158/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,426
2026 |
$1,305
2026 |
| Land area | 46,491 sq mi | 243,990 sq mi |
| Population density |
573 ppl/mi²
2026 |
51 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.78
2023 |
3.86
2023 |
| Median age |
37.3 years
2024 |
19.4 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
74 years
2026 |
58 years
2026 |
North Korea and South Sudan: Comparison Charts
North Korea and South Sudan economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2024 | $34,943,120,000 | - |
| 2023 | $32,155,360,000 | - |
| 2022 | $28,971,360,000 | - |
| 2021 | $32,301,720,000 | - |
| 2020 | $27,728,240,000 | - |
| 2019 | $28,222,880,000 | - |
| 2018 | $28,536,400,000 | - |
| 2017 | $29,105,440,000 | - |
| 2016 | $28,882,640,000 | - |
| 2015 | $30,723,030,000 | $11,997,800,760 |
| 2014 | $30,554,460,000 | $13,962,212,847 |
| 2013 | $30,588,922,000 | $18,426,469,017 |
| 2012 | $29,890,710,000 | $11,931,472,169 |
| 2011 | $29,005,020,000 | $14,907,308,933 |
| 2010 | $25,995,513,000 | $14,602,072,411 |
| 2009 | $23,356,470,000 | $12,231,264,525 |
| 2008 | - | $14,586,253,383 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (2008–2015, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-sudan | CC BY 
North Korea and South Sudan economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2024 | $1,319 | - |
| 2023 | $1,217 | - |
| 2022 | $1,100 | - |
| 2021 | $1,231 | - |
| 2020 | $1,061 | - |
| 2019 | $1,084 | - |
| 2018 | $1,100 | - |
| 2017 | $1,127 | - |
| 2016 | $1,124 | - |
| 2015 | $1,201 | $1,080 |
| 2014 | $1,201 | $1,243 |
| 2013 | $1,208 | $1,650 |
| 2012 | $1,186 | $1,109 |
| 2011 | $1,156 | $1,449 |
| 2010 | $1,040 | $1,498 |
| 2009 | $939 | $1,323 |
| 2008 | - | $1,654 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (2008–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-sudan | CC BY
North Korea vs. South Sudan life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2026 | 74 | 58 |
| 2025 | 73.9 | 57.9 |
| 2024 | 73.7 | 57.7 |
| 2023 | 73.6 | 57.6 |
| 2022 | 73.6 | 57.2 |
| 2021 | 73.4 | 57 |
| 2020 | 72.8 | 57.6 |
| 2019 | 72.9 | 58.1 |
| 2018 | 73 | 51.9 |
| 2017 | 73 | 35.4 |
| 2016 | 73 | 36.7 |
| 2015 | 72.8 | 39.8 |
| 2014 | 72.5 | 45.6 |
| 2013 | 71.9 | 58.3 |
| 2012 | 71.3 | 58.2 |
| 2011 | 70.8 | 57.7 |
| 2010 | 70.2 | 57.5 |
| 2009 | 69.7 | 56.8 |
| 2008 | 69.3 | 56.3 |
| 2007 | 69 | 55.4 |
| 2006 | 69.1 | 54.7 |
| 2005 | 69.2 | 54 |
| 2004 | 69.3 | 53.1 |
| 2003 | 69.4 | 52.3 |
| 2002 | 60.9 | 49.4 |
| 2001 | 60.9 | 48.6 |
| 2000 | 60.9 | 47.6 |
| 1999 | 60.9 | 44.5 |
| 1998 | 60.9 | 19 |
| 1997 | 60.9 | 33.1 |
| 1996 | 60.8 | 32.1 |
| 1995 | 60.8 | 31.5 |
| 1994 | 70.5 | 44.9 |
| 1993 | 70.8 | 22.3 |
| 1992 | 71 | 21.9 |
| 1991 | 70.7 | 29.2 |
| 1990 | 70.5 | 28.6 |
| 1989 | 70.3 | 28.2 |
| 1988 | 70.1 | 11 |
| 1987 | 69.8 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 69.5 | 32.8 |
| 1985 | 69.2 | 32.4 |
| 1984 | 68.9 | 31.8 |
| 1983 | 68.5 | 34.7 |
| 1982 | 68.1 | 38.7 |
| 1981 | 67.7 | 38.3 |
| 1980 | 67.2 | 38 |
| 1979 | 66.7 | 37.8 |
| 1978 | 66.3 | 37.6 |
| 1977 | 65.8 | 37.4 |
| 1976 | 65.3 | 37.1 |
| 1975 | 64.8 | 36.9 |
| 1974 | 64.3 | 36.6 |
| 1973 | 63.8 | 36.3 |
| 1972 | 63.3 | 31.3 |
| 1971 | 62.7 | 31 |
| 1970 | 62 | 25.6 |
| 1969 | 61.4 | 25.4 |
| 1968 | 60.8 | 26.1 |
| 1967 | 60.1 | 25.9 |
| 1966 | 59.4 | 25.6 |
| 1965 | 58.8 | 28.8 |
| 1964 | 58.2 | 32.5 |
| 1963 | 57.6 | 28.2 |
| 1962 | 57 | 28.5 |
| 1961 | 56.4 | 28.3 |
| 1960 | 55.8 | 28.1 |
| 1959 | 55.2 | 27.8 |
| 1958 | 54.5 | 27.6 |
| 1957 | 53.7 | 30.9 |
| 1956 | 52.8 | 31.6 |
| 1955 | 51.8 | 32 |
| 1954 | 50.6 | 31.7 |
| 1953 | 40.3 | 31.4 |
| 1952 | 32.8 | 31 |
| 1951 | 17.7 | 30.6 |
| 1950 | 14.2 | 30.2 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-sudan | CC BY
North Korea and South Sudan population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2024 | 26,498,823 | 11,943,408 |
| 2023 | 26,418,204 | 11,483,374 |
| 2022 | 26,328,845 | 11,021,177 |
| 2021 | 26,232,534 | 10,865,780 |
| 2020 | 26,136,312 | 10,698,467 |
| 2019 | 26,037,632 | 10,423,384 |
| 2018 | 25,931,147 | 10,122,977 |
| 2017 | 25,817,709 | 10,259,154 |
| 2016 | 25,698,326 | 10,830,102 |
| 2015 | 25,575,350 | 11,107,561 |
| 2014 | 25,451,262 | 11,235,073 |
| 2013 | 25,329,451 | 11,166,275 |
| 2012 | 25,211,728 | 10,756,240 |
| 2011 | 25,097,874 | 10,288,109 |
| 2010 | 24,987,258 | 9,745,953 |
| 2009 | 24,878,332 | 9,243,556 |
| 2008 | 24,764,618 | 8,817,647 |
| 2007 | 24,646,383 | 8,388,788 |
| 2006 | 24,524,507 | 7,976,526 |
| 2005 | 24,396,433 | 7,590,143 |
| 2004 | 24,254,943 | 7,233,041 |
| 2003 | 24,090,380 | 6,903,127 |
| 2002 | 23,943,973 | 6,596,806 |
| 2001 | 23,815,358 | 6,308,391 |
| 2000 | 23,665,910 | 6,032,267 |
| 1999 | 23,497,599 | 5,771,628 |
| 1998 | 23,311,564 | 5,620,068 |
| 1997 | 23,110,830 | 5,509,136 |
| 1996 | 22,895,746 | 5,356,925 |
| 1995 | 22,669,304 | 5,225,836 |
| 1994 | 22,393,975 | 5,071,184 |
| 1993 | 22,073,352 | 4,956,002 |
| 1992 | 21,750,911 | 4,909,749 |
| 1991 | 21,428,638 | 4,836,677 |
| 1990 | 21,112,137 | 4,737,633 |
| 1989 | 20,804,367 | 4,713,229 |
| 1988 | 20,503,161 | 4,848,029 |
| 1987 | 20,205,483 | 4,962,395 |
| 1986 | 19,910,855 | 4,921,240 |
| 1985 | 19,620,388 | 4,834,296 |
| 1984 | 19,335,043 | 4,750,627 |
| 1983 | 19,054,034 | 4,661,574 |
| 1982 | 18,776,357 | 4,557,686 |
| 1981 | 18,501,295 | 4,447,272 |
| 1980 | 18,236,786 | 4,339,030 |
| 1979 | 17,983,470 | 4,232,605 |
| 1978 | 17,735,995 | 4,127,657 |
| 1977 | 17,492,798 | 4,024,032 |
| 1976 | 17,243,450 | 3,921,910 |
| 1975 | 16,971,055 | 3,821,494 |
| 1974 | 16,673,121 | 3,723,259 |
| 1973 | 16,350,367 | 3,627,383 |
| 1972 | 15,975,069 | 3,542,497 |
| 1971 | 15,572,457 | 3,468,646 |
| 1970 | 15,172,775 | 3,409,614 |
| 1969 | 14,767,615 | 3,365,533 |
| 1968 | 14,365,596 | 3,321,528 |
| 1967 | 13,958,350 | 3,277,648 |
| 1966 | 13,569,094 | 3,236,423 |
| 1965 | 13,219,369 | 3,189,835 |
| 1964 | 12,889,770 | 3,129,918 |
| 1963 | 12,567,057 | 3,072,669 |
| 1962 | 12,262,882 | 3,024,308 |
| 1961 | 11,990,713 | 2,976,724 |
| 1960 | 11,722,953 | 2,931,559 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-sudan | CC BY
Fertility rates in North Korea and South Sudan
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2023 | 1.78 | 3.86 |
| 2022 | 1.8 | 3.96 |
| 2021 | 1.81 | 4.05 |
| 2020 | 1.82 | 4.16 |
| 2019 | 1.83 | 4.26 |
| 2018 | 1.83 | 4.37 |
| 2017 | 1.85 | 4.48 |
| 2016 | 1.86 | 4.58 |
| 2015 | 1.86 | 4.7 |
| 2014 | 1.87 | 4.82 |
| 2013 | 1.88 | 4.94 |
| 2012 | 1.88 | 5.06 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | 5.19 |
| 2010 | 1.89 | 5.32 |
| 2009 | 1.91 | 5.45 |
| 2008 | 1.97 | 5.57 |
| 2007 | 1.94 | 5.7 |
| 2006 | 1.94 | 5.85 |
| 2005 | 1.87 | 6.02 |
| 2004 | 1.9 | 6.19 |
| 2003 | 1.91 | 6.35 |
| 2002 | 1.92 | 6.52 |
| 2001 | 1.94 | 6.65 |
| 2000 | 1.94 | 6.8 |
| 1999 | 1.97 | 6.94 |
| 1998 | 1.99 | 7.08 |
| 1997 | 2.03 | 7.2 |
| 1996 | 2.09 | 7.32 |
| 1995 | 2.15 | 7.34 |
| 1994 | 2.18 | 7.35 |
| 1993 | 2.22 | 7.36 |
| 1992 | 2.29 | 7.37 |
| 1991 | 2.35 | 7.38 |
| 1990 | 2.39 | 7.38 |
| 1989 | 2.41 | 7.37 |
| 1988 | 2.47 | 7.38 |
| 1987 | 2.53 | 7.39 |
| 1986 | 2.59 | 7.38 |
| 1985 | 2.65 | 7.36 |
| 1984 | 2.71 | 7.35 |
| 1983 | 2.78 | 7.34 |
| 1982 | 2.85 | 7.34 |
| 1981 | 2.92 | 7.33 |
| 1980 | 2.84 | 7.33 |
| 1979 | 2.85 | 7.32 |
| 1978 | 2.79 | 7.33 |
| 1977 | 2.77 | 7.33 |
| 1976 | 2.84 | 7.33 |
| 1975 | 3.05 | 7.33 |
| 1974 | 3.14 | 7.31 |
| 1973 | 3.35 | 7.31 |
| 1972 | 3.89 | 7.31 |
| 1971 | 3.74 | 7.3 |
| 1970 | 3.85 | 7.29 |
| 1969 | 3.86 | 7.28 |
| 1968 | 3.87 | 7.26 |
| 1967 | 4.05 | 7.26 |
| 1966 | 3.71 | 7.25 |
| 1965 | 3.56 | 7.22 |
| 1964 | 3.55 | 7.22 |
| 1963 | 3.63 | 7.2 |
| 1962 | 3.41 | 7.2 |
| 1961 | 3.26 | 7.18 |
| 1960 | 3.57 | 7.16 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-sudan | CC BY
North Korea and South Sudan demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2024 | 37.3 | 19.4 |
| 2023 | 37.1 | 19 |
| 2022 | 36.8 | 18.7 |
| 2021 | 36.6 | 18.4 |
| 2020 | 36.4 | 18.2 |
| 2019 | 36.2 | 17.8 |
| 2018 | 35.9 | 17.3 |
| 2017 | 35.7 | 17.4 |
| 2016 | 35.4 | 18.2 |
| 2015 | 35.2 | 18.6 |
| 2014 | 35 | 19 |
| 2013 | 34.7 | 19.3 |
| 2012 | 34.5 | 19.2 |
| 2011 | 34.3 | 19 |
| 2010 | 34 | 18.7 |
| 2009 | 33.7 | 18.4 |
| 2008 | 33.3 | 18.2 |
| 2007 | 32.9 | 18 |
| 2006 | 32.5 | 17.8 |
| 2005 | 32.1 | 17.6 |
| 2004 | 31.8 | 17.4 |
| 2003 | 31.4 | 17.3 |
| 2002 | 31 | 17.3 |
| 2001 | 30.5 | 17.3 |
| 2000 | 30.1 | 17.2 |
| 1999 | 29.6 | 17.1 |
| 1998 | 29.2 | 17 |
| 1997 | 28.8 | 16.9 |
| 1996 | 28.3 | 16.9 |
| 1995 | 28 | 16.9 |
| 1994 | 27.6 | 16.9 |
| 1993 | 27.2 | 16.9 |
| 1992 | 26.8 | 17 |
| 1991 | 26.4 | 17 |
| 1990 | 26 | 17 |
| 1989 | 25.6 | 17.1 |
| 1988 | 25.1 | 16.8 |
| 1987 | 24.8 | 16.5 |
| 1986 | 24.5 | 16.6 |
| 1985 | 24.2 | 16.7 |
| 1984 | 23.9 | 16.8 |
| 1983 | 23.5 | 16.8 |
| 1982 | 23.1 | 16.9 |
| 1981 | 22.8 | 17 |
| 1980 | 22.5 | 17.1 |
| 1979 | 22.2 | 17.1 |
| 1978 | 21.8 | 17.2 |
| 1977 | 21.4 | 17.2 |
| 1976 | 21.1 | 17.3 |
| 1975 | 20.9 | 17.4 |
| 1974 | 20.7 | 17.4 |
| 1973 | 20.7 | 17.5 |
| 1972 | 20.9 | 17.5 |
| 1971 | 21.2 | 17.6 |
| 1970 | 21.4 | 17.7 |
| 1969 | 21.4 | 17.9 |
| 1968 | 21.4 | 18 |
| 1967 | 21.4 | 18.2 |
| 1966 | 21.3 | 18.3 |
| 1965 | 21.2 | 18.3 |
| 1964 | 21 | 18.4 |
| 1963 | 20.8 | 18.4 |
| 1962 | 20.6 | 18.5 |
| 1961 | 20.2 | 18.5 |
| 1960 | 19.9 | 18.6 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-sudan | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for North Korea and South Sudan.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method | n/a |
$11.7B
2015 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
18.1%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
1.57%
2016 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
1.96%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
1,469,000
2020 |
53,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | n/a |
+11.7%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
25.6%
2013 |
12.3%
2008 |
| Services, % of GDP | n/a |
56.6%
2015 |
| Industry, % of GDP | n/a |
33.1%
2015 |
| Economic freedom index |
3.1
2026 |
41
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% | n/a |
33%
2016 |
| Income share by poorest 10% | n/a |
1.8%
2016 |
| Total reserves including gold | n/a |
$72.9M
2023 |
| Personal remittances received | n/a |
$1.14B
2024 |
| International tourism as share of exports | n/a |
0.39%
2018 |
| Banked people share | n/a |
5.83%
2021 |
Energy
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
641 kg
2022 |
69 kg
2022 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use | n/a |
$15.1
2015 |
| 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 |
73.4%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
14.7%
2021 |
32.4%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
8.5%
2022 |
0.4%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share |
4.9%
2022 |
-860%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
830 kWh
2022 |
46.9 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
63.2%
2021 |
0.34%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
62.7%
2022 |
0%
2021 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
57.5%
2023 |
5.4%
2023 |
Society
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.33%
2024 |
0.15%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-2,787
2025 |
+6,145
2025 |
| Urban population |
63.9%
2024 |
21.4%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.5:50.5
2024 |
49.2:50.8
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.73 ft
2025 |
n/a |
| Average female height |
5.29 ft
2025 |
n/a |
| Quality of life index |
10.1
2026 |
4.76
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
15
2025 |
9
2025 |
| Higher education index |
10
2026 |
14
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
4.4
2015 |
14.1
2012 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
24.2
2019 |
36.7
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
48
2025 |
50
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
100%
2018 |
34.5%
2018 |
| English speaking |
0%
2025 |
94%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
0%
2012 |
9.27%
2020 |
Health
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$72.8
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$19.7
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
74 years
2026 |
58 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure | n/a |
62.3%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
3.63
2017 |
0.04
2022 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
67
2023 |
692
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
18
2023 |
98.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
11.1%
2022 |
8.79%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
9.9%
2024 |
4.6%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
42
2026 |
22
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
16.5%
2022 |
n/a |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.87 liters
2020 |
n/a |
Territory
|
North Korea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.08%
2026 |
0.42%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
1,754 sq mi
2024 |
20,429 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
10,021 sq mi
2026 |
109,449 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
23,036 sq mi
2026 |
27,633 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
15,879 mi
2006 |
n/a |
In-depth comparisons
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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)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2015–2024, 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)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
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