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North Korea vs Switzerland statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

North Korea has a population of 26.5M (ranked 56/197), compared with 9.01M in Switzerland (ranked 101/197). North Korea's land area is 46,491 sq mi versus 15,255 sq mi for Switzerland (ranked 97th vs. 131st).

By GDP, North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B) and Switzerland ranks 20/197 ($937B). By GDP per capita, North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319), while Switzerland ranks 5/197 ($103,998).

Main facts and rankings

North Korea Switzerland
Population
26659144
9107866
Population rank 57/197 100/197
GDP
$34.9B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank 106/197 20/197
GDP per capita
$1,319
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank 168/197 5/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,700
2015
$96,498
2024
Government debt n/a
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a 15/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,426
2026
$85,867
2026
Land area 46,491 sq mi 15,255 sq mi
Population density
573 ppl/mi²
2026
596 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.78
2023
1.33
2023
Median age
37.3 years
2024
43.7 years
2024
Life expectancy
74 years
2026
84.4 years
2026

North Korea and Switzerland: Comparison Charts

North Korea and Switzerland economies compared

GDP
North Korea

Switzerland
1x
Year GDP
North Korea Switzerland
2024 $34,943,120,000 $936,564,198,049
2023 $32,155,360,000 $894,424,821,645
2022 $28,971,360,000 $828,508,926,958
2021 $32,301,720,000 $815,309,330,987
2020 $27,728,240,000 $741,999,406,006
2019 $28,222,880,000 $721,369,112,727
2018 $28,536,400,000 $725,568,717,468
2017 $29,105,440,000 $695,200,833,086
2016 $28,882,640,000 $687,895,460,903
2015 $30,723,030,000 $694,118,186,380
2014 $30,554,460,000 $726,537,808,338
2013 $30,588,922,000 $706,234,937,371
2012 $29,890,710,000 $686,420,221,558
2011 $29,005,020,000 $715,888,126,682
2010 $25,995,513,000 $598,851,028,907
2009 $23,356,470,000 $554,212,916,092
2008 - $567,267,767,519
2007 - $490,740,715,595
2006 - $441,634,672,197
2005 - $418,284,865,885
2004 - $403,912,891,033
2003 - $362,075,086,508
2002 - $309,301,422,430
2001 - $286,582,672,434
2000 - $279,216,033,870
1999 - $297,873,643,323
1998 - $303,459,014,347
1997 - $294,788,198,856
1996 - $340,103,959,547
1995 - $352,835,806,342
1994 - $301,375,055,202
1993 - $272,237,527,071
1992 - $279,921,425,828
1991 - $268,901,693,863
1990 - $265,763,573,999
1989 - $208,105,846,934
1988 - $215,540,625,299
1987 - $199,236,370,038
1986 - $159,089,921,063
1985 - $110,980,314,192
1984 - $109,455,312,168
1983 - $114,634,358,535
1982 - $115,043,365,512
1981 - $112,244,805,519
1980 - $122,557,843,886
1979 - $114,970,094,425
1978 - $102,280,472,036
1977 - $73,135,771,167
1976 - $68,476,524,644
1975 - $65,466,081,819
1974 - $57,103,011,446
1973 - $49,550,006,320
1972 - $36,844,318,854
1971 - $30,040,171,751
1970 - $24,998,066,773
1969 - $22,442,043,274
1968 - $20,712,102,794
1967 - $19,397,044,714
1966 - $18,019,402,374
1965 - $16,780,226,225
1964 - $15,833,133,858
1963 - $14,283,872,299
1962 - $12,989,649,694
1961 - $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

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

GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/switzerland | CC BY

North Korea and Switzerland economies compared

GDP per capita
North Korea

Switzerland
1x
Year GDP per capita
North Korea Switzerland
2024 $1,319 $103,998
2023 $1,217 $100,624
2022 $1,100 $94,395
2021 $1,231 $93,665
2020 $1,061 $85,898
2019 $1,084 $84,122
2018 $1,100 $85,217
2017 $1,127 $82,254
2016 $1,124 $82,153
2015 $1,201 $83,806
2014 $1,201 $88,725
2013 $1,208 $87,304
2012 $1,186 $85,836
2011 $1,156 $90,477
2010 $1,040 $76,531
2009 $939 $71,568
2008 - $74,175
2007 - $64,989
2006 - $59,011
2005 - $56,243
2004 - $54,659
2003 - $49,336
2002 - $42,459
2001 - $39,639
2000 - $38,865
1999 - $41,696
1998 - $42,681
1997 - $41,584
1996 - $48,093
1995 - $50,114
1994 - $43,092
1993 - $39,237
1992 - $40,714
1991 - $39,544
1990 - $39,575
1989 - $31,309
1988 - $32,690
1987 - $30,441
1986 - $24,460
1985 - $17,152
1984 - $16,991
1983 - $17,859
1982 - $18,000
1981 - $17,665
1980 - $19,394
1979 - $18,266
1978 - $16,282
1977 - $11,644
1976 - $10,865
1975 - $10,328
1974 - $9,005
1973 - $7,856
1972 - $5,885
1971 - $4,835
1970 - $4,044
1969 - $3,657
1968 - $3,413
1967 - $3,237
1966 - $3,045
1965 - $2,865
1964 - $2,735
1963 - $2,508
1962 - $2,330
1961 - $2,155
1960 - $1,954

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

GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/switzerland | CC BY

North Korea vs. Switzerland life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
North Korea

Switzerland
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
North Korea Switzerland
2026 74 84.4
2025 73.9 84.2
2024 73.7 84.1
2023 73.6 84
2022 73.6 83.2
2021 73.4 83.6
2020 72.8 83.1
2019 72.9 83.8
2018 73 83.6
2017 73 83.4
2016 73 83.4
2015 72.8 82.8
2014 72.5 83.1
2013 71.9 82.7
2012 71.3 82.6
2011 70.8 82.6
2010 70.2 82.3
2009 69.7 82
2008 69.3 82
2007 69 81.7
2006 69.1 81.5
2005 69.2 81.2
2004 69.3 81.1
2003 69.4 80.5
2002 60.9 80.4
2001 60.9 80.3
2000 60.9 79.8
1999 60.9 79.7
1998 60.9 79.5
1997 60.9 79.2
1996 60.8 79
1995 60.8 78.6
1994 70.5 78.5
1993 70.8 78.2
1992 71 77.9
1991 70.7 77.6
1990 70.5 77.4
1989 70.3 77.6
1988 70.1 77.4
1987 69.8 77.3
1986 69.5 77
1985 69.2 76.9
1984 68.9 76.8
1983 68.5 76.2
1982 68.1 76.2
1981 67.7 75.8
1980 67.2 75.6
1979 66.7 75.6
1978 66.3 75.3
1977 65.8 75.4
1976 65.3 74.9
1975 64.8 74.8
1974 64.3 74.4
1973 63.8 74.1
1972 63.3 73.8
1971 62.7 73.2
1970 62 73.1
1969 61.4 72.7
1968 60.8 72.7
1967 60.1 72.7
1966 59.4 72.4
1965 58.8 72.3
1964 58.2 72.2
1963 57.6 71.3
1962 57 71.3
1961 56.4 71.7
1960 55.8 71.4
1959 55.2 71.5
1958 54.5 71.3
1957 53.7 70.5
1956 52.8 70.2
1955 51.8 70.1
1954 50.6 70
1953 40.3 69.5
1952 32.8 69.6
1951 17.7 68.7
1950 14.2 68.9

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

GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/switzerland | CC BY

North Korea and Switzerland population clocks and comparison

Population
North Korea

Switzerland
1x
Year Population
North Korea Switzerland
2024 26,498,823 9,005,582
2023 26,418,204 8,888,822
2022 26,328,845 8,777,088
2021 26,232,534 8,704,546
2020 26,136,312 8,638,167
2019 26,037,632 8,575,280
2018 25,931,147 8,514,329
2017 25,817,709 8,451,840
2016 25,698,326 8,373,338
2015 25,575,350 8,282,396
2014 25,451,262 8,188,649
2013 25,329,451 8,089,346
2012 25,211,728 7,996,861
2011 25,097,874 7,912,398
2010 24,987,258 7,824,909
2009 24,878,332 7,743,831
2008 24,764,618 7,647,675
2007 24,646,383 7,551,117
2006 24,524,507 7,483,934
2005 24,396,433 7,437,115
2004 24,254,943 7,389,625
2003 24,090,380 7,339,001
2002 23,943,973 7,284,753
2001 23,815,358 7,229,854
2000 23,665,910 7,184,250
1999 23,497,599 7,143,991
1998 23,311,564 7,110,001
1997 23,110,830 7,088,906
1996 22,895,746 7,071,850
1995 22,669,304 7,040,687
1994 22,393,975 6,993,795
1993 22,073,352 6,938,265
1992 21,750,911 6,875,364
1991 21,428,638 6,799,978
1990 21,112,137 6,715,519
1989 20,804,367 6,646,912
1988 20,503,161 6,593,386
1987 20,205,483 6,545,106
1986 19,910,855 6,504,124
1985 19,620,388 6,470,365
1984 19,335,043 6,441,865
1983 19,054,034 6,418,773
1982 18,776,357 6,391,309
1981 18,501,295 6,354,074
1980 18,236,786 6,319,408
1979 17,983,470 6,294,365
1978 17,735,995 6,281,738
1977 17,492,798 6,281,174
1976 17,243,450 6,302,504
1975 16,971,055 6,338,632
1974 16,673,121 6,341,405
1973 16,350,367 6,307,347
1972 15,975,069 6,260,956
1971 15,572,457 6,213,399
1970 15,172,775 6,180,877
1969 14,767,615 6,136,387
1968 14,365,596 6,067,714
1967 13,958,350 5,991,785
1966 13,569,094 5,918,002
1965 13,219,369 5,856,472
1964 12,889,770 5,789,228
1963 12,567,057 5,694,247
1962 12,262,882 5,573,815
1961 11,990,713 5,434,294
1960 11,722,953 5,327,827

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

GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/switzerland | CC BY

Fertility rates in North Korea and Switzerland

Fertility rate
North Korea

Switzerland
1x
Year Fertility rate
North Korea Switzerland
2023 1.78 1.33
2022 1.8 1.39
2021 1.81 1.52
2020 1.82 1.46
2019 1.83 1.48
2018 1.83 1.52
2017 1.85 1.52
2016 1.86 1.54
2015 1.86 1.54
2014 1.87 1.54
2013 1.88 1.52
2012 1.88 1.52
2011 1.88 1.52
2010 1.89 1.52
2009 1.91 1.5
2008 1.97 1.48
2007 1.94 1.46
2006 1.94 1.44
2005 1.87 1.42
2004 1.9 1.42
2003 1.91 1.39
2002 1.92 1.39
2001 1.94 1.38
2000 1.94 1.5
1999 1.97 1.48
1998 1.99 1.47
1997 2.03 1.48
1996 2.09 1.5
1995 2.15 1.48
1994 2.18 1.49
1993 2.22 1.51
1992 2.29 1.58
1991 2.35 1.58
1990 2.39 1.58
1989 2.41 1.56
1988 2.47 1.57
1987 2.53 1.52
1986 2.59 1.53
1985 2.65 1.52
1984 2.71 1.53
1983 2.78 1.52
1982 2.85 1.56
1981 2.92 1.55
1980 2.84 1.55
1979 2.85 1.52
1978 2.79 1.51
1977 2.77 1.53
1976 2.84 1.55
1975 3.05 1.61
1974 3.14 1.73
1973 3.35 1.81
1972 3.89 1.91
1971 3.74 2.04
1970 3.85 2.1
1969 3.86 2.19
1968 3.87 2.29
1967 4.05 2.39
1966 3.71 2.5
1965 3.56 2.59
1964 3.55 2.66
1963 3.63 2.65
1962 3.41 2.58
1961 3.26 2.52
1960 3.57 2.44

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

GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/switzerland | CC BY

North Korea and Switzerland demographics compared

Median age
North Korea

Switzerland
1x
Year Median age, years
North Korea Switzerland
2024 37.3 43.7
2023 37.1 43.4
2022 36.8 43
2021 36.6 42.8
2020 36.4 42.7
2019 36.2 42.6
2018 35.9 42.5
2017 35.7 42.4
2016 35.4 42.3
2015 35.2 42.2
2014 35 42.1
2013 34.7 42
2012 34.5 41.8
2011 34.3 41.6
2010 34 41.5
2009 33.7 41.3
2008 33.3 41.1
2007 32.9 40.9
2006 32.5 40.6
2005 32.1 40.3
2004 31.8 39.9
2003 31.4 39.6
2002 31 39.3
2001 30.5 39
2000 30.1 38.7
1999 29.6 38.4
1998 29.2 38.2
1997 28.8 37.9
1996 28.3 37.6
1995 28 37.3
1994 27.6 37.1
1993 27.2 37
1992 26.8 36.9
1991 26.4 36.9
1990 26 36.9
1989 25.6 36.8
1988 25.1 36.7
1987 24.8 36.5
1986 24.5 36.3
1985 24.2 36.1
1984 23.9 35.9
1983 23.5 35.6
1982 23.1 35.3
1981 22.8 35
1980 22.5 34.8
1979 22.2 34.5
1978 21.8 34.2
1977 21.4 33.8
1976 21.1 33.5
1975 20.9 33.1
1974 20.7 32.7
1973 20.7 32.5
1972 20.9 32.3
1971 21.2 32.2
1970 21.4 32
1969 21.4 31.7
1968 21.4 31.7
1967 21.4 31.6
1966 21.3 31.6
1965 21.2 31.6
1964 21 31.5
1963 20.8 31.7
1962 20.6 32
1961 20.2 32.4
1960 19.9 32.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/switzerland | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

North Korea Switzerland
GNI, Atlas method n/a
$857B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP n/a
31.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP n/a
4.92%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.72%
2024
Armed forces personnel
1,469,000
2020
20,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP n/a
+0.58%
2024
Unemployment rate
25.6%
2013
4.34%
2024
Services, % of GDP n/a
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
24.7%
2024
Economic freedom index
3.1
2026
83.7
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2022
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
15.5%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.0006%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
206
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.97T
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$909B
2024
Personal remittances received n/a
$3.64B
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
11,818,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports n/a
2.08%
2020
Banked people share n/a
98.4%
2024

Energy

North Korea Switzerland
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
641 kg
2022
2,511 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$37.9
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
66.2 megatons
2024
33.7 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.5 tons
2024
3.75 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
85.1%
2022
44.5%
2023
Renewable energy use share
14.7%
2021
27.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
8.5%
2022
45.1%
2023
Net energy imports use share
4.9%
2022
51.7%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
830 kWh
2022
7,096 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
63.2%
2021
68.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
62.7%
2022
55.8%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
33%
2023
Electricity access
57.5%
2023
100%
2023

Society

North Korea Switzerland
% of world population
0.33%
2024
0.11%
2024
Annual migration change
-2,787
2025
+37,253
2025
Urban population
63.9%
2024
85.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.5:50.5
2024
49.7:50.3
2024
Average male height
5.73 ft
2025
5.86 ft
2025
Average female height
5.29 ft
2025
5.39 ft
2025
Quality of life index
10.1
2026
100
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
15
2025
80
2025
Higher education index
10
2026
99
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.4
2015
0.6
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
24.2
2019
2.2
2019
Visa free countries
48
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
100%
2018
99%
2003
English speaking
0%
2025
61.3%
2023
People using the Internet
0%
2012
97.3%
2023

Health

North Korea Switzerland
Government health expenditure per capita n/a
$11,784
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita n/a
$2,596
2023
Life expectancy
74 years
2026
84.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure n/a
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
3.63
2017
4.48
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
31.3 years
2023
Maternal mortality per 100K births
67
2023
5
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
18
2023
3.9
2023
Obesity rate
11.1%
2022
12.5%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.9%
2024
5.3%
2024
Air quality index
42
2026
83
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
16.5%
2022
25.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.87 liters
2020
10.1 liters
2020

Territory

North Korea Switzerland
% of world land
0.08%
2026
0.03%
2026
Land area per capita
1,754 sq mi
2024
1,694 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
10,021 sq mi
2026
5,765 sq mi
2026
Forest area
23,036 sq mi
2026
4,940 sq mi
2026
Roads length
15,879 mi
2006
52,266 mi
2021

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) (2000–2019, 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)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)

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