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North Korea vs Switzerland statistics compared

Updated on by Georank

North Korea has a population of 26.6M (ranked 56/197), compared with 9.09M in Switzerland (ranked 99/197). 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 109/197 ($34.9B) and Switzerland ranks 20/197 ($1.04T). By GDP per capita, North Korea ranks 169/197 ($1,319), while Switzerland ranks 5/197 ($114,769).

Main facts and rankings

North Korea Switzerland
Population
26668308
9155878
Population rank 57/197 99/197
GDP
$34.9B
2024
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank 109/197 20/197
GDP per capita
$1,319
2024
$114,769
2025
GDP per capita rank 169/197 5/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,700
2015
$96,498
2024
Government debt n/a
$411B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
39.4%
2025
Government debt per person n/a
$45,239
2025
Government debt per person rank n/a 12/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,707
2026
$89,347
2026
Land area 46,491 sq mi 15,255 sq mi
Population density
573 ppl/mi²
2026
599 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.78
2024
1.29
2024
Median age
37.6 years
2025
43.9 years
2025
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
2025 - $1,043,529,899,251
2024 $34,943,120,000 $969,919,786,395
2023 $32,155,360,000 $928,435,275,852
2022 $28,971,360,000 $858,479,038,994
2021 $32,301,720,000 $840,710,023,481
2020 $27,728,240,000 $756,096,180,222
2019 $28,222,880,000 $736,384,764,157
2018 $28,536,400,000 $740,766,531,454
2017 $29,105,440,000 $706,660,443,624
2016 $28,882,640,000 $698,607,778,795
2015 $30,723,030,000 $706,199,008,879
2014 $30,554,460,000 $741,168,119,617
2013 $30,588,922,000 $718,748,402,260
2012 $29,890,710,000 $697,882,536,677
2011 $29,005,020,000 $727,231,637,102
2010 $25,995,513,000 $609,999,593,542
2009 $23,356,470,000 $563,659,557,945
2008 - $574,703,945,157
2007 - $498,993,845,385
2006 - $448,364,681,767
2005 - $424,511,048,024
2004 - $409,012,909,530
2003 - $366,563,952,625
2002 - $313,930,961,761
2001 - $290,160,142,214
2000 - $282,327,351,966
1999 - $301,911,268,140
1998 - $306,907,741,068
1997 - $298,868,250,534
1996 - $345,373,647,249
1995 - $358,152,520,085
1994 - $305,916,331,798
1993 - $276,339,744,180
1992 - $284,139,428,246
1991 - $272,953,645,746
1990 - $269,768,238,555
1989 - $211,241,694,480
1988 - $218,788,504,066
1987 - $202,238,567,597
1986 - $161,487,171,049
1985 - $112,652,623,418
1984 - $111,104,641,869
1983 - $116,361,728,836
1982 - $116,776,899,473
1981 - $113,936,168,924
1980 - $124,404,609,417
1979 - $116,702,524,208
1978 - $103,821,687,919
1977 - $74,237,819,014
1976 - $69,508,364,538
1975 - $66,452,559,176
1974 - $57,963,469,607
1973 - $50,296,651,921
1972 - $37,399,508,287
1971 - $30,492,832,676
1970 - $25,374,750,743
1969 - $22,780,211,812
1968 - $21,024,203,656
1967 - $19,689,329,510
1966 - $18,290,928,227
1965 - $17,033,079,428
1964 - $16,071,715,835
1963 - $14,499,109,270
1962 - $13,185,384,691
1961 - $11,889,851,950
1960 - $10,569,129,806

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 - $114,769
2024 $1,319 $107,702
2023 $1,217 $104,450
2022 $1,100 $97,809
2021 $1,231 $96,583
2020 $1,061 $87,530
2019 $1,084 $85,873
2018 $1,100 $87,002
2017 $1,127 $83,610
2016 $1,124 $83,432
2015 $1,201 $85,265
2014 $1,201 $90,512
2013 $1,208 $88,851
2012 $1,186 $87,270
2011 $1,156 $91,910
2010 $1,040 $77,956
2009 $939 $72,788
2008 - $75,148
2007 - $66,082
2006 - $59,910
2005 - $57,080
2004 - $55,350
2003 - $49,947
2002 - $43,094
2001 - $40,134
2000 - $39,298
1999 - $42,261
1998 - $43,166
1997 - $42,160
1996 - $48,838
1995 - $50,869
1994 - $43,741
1993 - $39,828
1992 - $41,327
1991 - $40,140
1990 - $40,171
1989 - $31,780
1988 - $33,183
1987 - $30,899
1986 - $24,828
1985 - $17,411
1984 - $17,247
1983 - $18,128
1982 - $18,271
1981 - $17,931
1980 - $19,686
1979 - $18,541
1978 - $16,528
1977 - $11,819
1976 - $11,029
1975 - $10,484
1974 - $9,140
1973 - $7,974
1972 - $5,973
1971 - $4,908
1970 - $4,105
1969 - $3,712
1968 - $3,465
1967 - $3,286
1966 - $3,091
1965 - $2,908
1964 - $2,776
1963 - $2,546
1962 - $2,366
1961 - $2,188
1960 - $1,984

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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 2026-07-08).

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
2025 26,571,036 9,092,436
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2024 1.78 1.29
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 37.6 43.9
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
$1T
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP n/a
31.2%
2025
Education expenditure, % of GDP n/a
4.86%
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
+0.45%
2025
Unemployment rate
25.6%
2013
4.84%
2025
Services, % of GDP n/a
71.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP n/a
25%
2025
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
944,000
2026
Percentage of millionaires n/a
13%
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
45
2026
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.0006%
2026
Listed domestic companies n/a
201
2025
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.51T
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.08T
2025
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
665 kg
2023
2,492 kg
2024
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$38.7
2024
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
7.77%
2023
48.1%
2024
Net energy imports use share
4.9%
2022
51.7%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
789 kWh
2023
7,117 kWh
2024
Renewable electricity output share
63.1%
2021
67.9%
2021
Hydroelectric share
62.8%
2023
59.1%
2024
Nuclear share
0%
2021
29.1%
2024
Electricity access
57.5%
2023
100%
2023

Society

North Korea Switzerland
% of world population
0.32%
2025
0.11%
2025
Annual migration change
-2,787
2025
+37,253
2025
Urban population
64.2%
2025
85.7%
2025
Male:Female ratio
49.5:50.5
2025
49.7:50.3
2025
Average male height
5.43 ft
2026
5.75 ft
2026
Average female height
5.08 ft
2026
5.38 ft
2026
Quality of life index
9.95
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
2026
174
2026
Adult literacy rate
100%
2018
99%
2003
English speaking
0%
2026
38.7%
2026
People using the Internet
0%
2012
97.3%
2025

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
2024
Maternal mortality per 100K births
67
2023
5
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
16.7
2024
3.9
2024
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
15.6%
2024
23.1%
2024
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
1,750 sq mi
2025
1,678 sq mi
2025
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 (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  10. Passport Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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