North Korea has a population of 26.5M (ranked 56/197), compared with 342M in The United States (ranked 3/197). North Korea's land area is 46,491 sq mi versus 3,531,839 sq mi for The United States (ranked 97th vs. 3rd).
By GDP, North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B) and The United States ranks 1/197 ($28.8T). By GDP per capita, North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319), while The United States ranks 10/197 ($84,534).
Main facts and rankings
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
26659144
|
344023146
|
| Population rank | 57/197 | 3/197 |
| GDP |
$34.9B
2024 |
$28.8T
2024 |
| GDP rank | 106/197 | 1/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,319
2024 |
$84,534
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 168/197 | 10/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,700
2015 |
$85,810
2024 |
| Government debt | n/a |
$35.2T
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio | n/a |
122.3%
2024 |
| Government debt per person | n/a |
$103,404
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | n/a | 2/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,426
2026 |
$53,202
2026 |
| Land area | 46,491 sq mi | 3,531,839 sq mi |
| Population density |
573 ppl/mi²
2026 |
97.3 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.78
2023 |
1.62
2023 |
| Median age |
37.3 years
2024 |
39.3 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
74 years
2026 |
79.8 years
2026 |
North Korea and United States: Comparison Charts
North Korea and United States economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2024 | $34,943,120,000 | $28,750,956,130,731 |
| 2023 | $32,155,360,000 | $27,292,170,793,214 |
| 2022 | $28,971,360,000 | $25,604,848,907,611 |
| 2021 | $32,301,720,000 | $23,315,080,560,000 |
| 2020 | $27,728,240,000 | $21,060,473,613,000 |
| 2019 | $28,222,880,000 | $21,380,976,119,000 |
| 2018 | $28,536,400,000 | $20,533,057,312,000 |
| 2017 | $29,105,440,000 | $19,477,336,549,000 |
| 2016 | $28,882,640,000 | $18,695,110,842,000 |
| 2015 | $30,723,030,000 | $18,206,020,741,000 |
| 2014 | $30,554,460,000 | $17,550,680,174,000 |
| 2013 | $30,588,922,000 | $16,843,190,993,000 |
| 2012 | $29,890,710,000 | $16,253,972,230,000 |
| 2011 | $29,005,020,000 | $15,599,728,123,000 |
| 2010 | $25,995,513,000 | $15,048,964,444,000 |
| 2009 | $23,356,470,000 | $14,478,064,934,000 |
| 2008 | - | $14,769,857,911,000 |
| 2007 | - | $14,474,226,905,000 |
| 2006 | - | $13,815,586,948,000 |
| 2005 | - | $13,039,199,193,000 |
| 2004 | - | $12,217,193,198,000 |
| 2003 | - | $11,456,442,041,000 |
| 2002 | - | $10,929,112,955,000 |
| 2001 | - | $10,581,929,774,000 |
| 2000 | - | $10,250,947,997,000 |
| 1999 | - | $9,631,174,489,000 |
| 1998 | - | $9,062,818,202,000 |
| 1997 | - | $8,577,554,457,000 |
| 1996 | - | $8,073,122,000,000 |
| 1995 | - | $7,639,749,000,000 |
| 1994 | - | $7,287,236,000,000 |
| 1993 | - | $6,858,559,000,000 |
| 1992 | - | $6,520,327,000,000 |
| 1991 | - | $6,158,129,000,000 |
| 1990 | - | $5,963,144,000,000 |
| 1989 | - | $5,641,580,000,000 |
| 1988 | - | $5,236,438,000,000 |
| 1987 | - | $4,855,215,000,000 |
| 1986 | - | $4,579,631,000,000 |
| 1985 | - | $4,338,979,000,000 |
| 1984 | - | $4,037,613,000,000 |
| 1983 | - | $3,634,038,000,000 |
| 1982 | - | $3,343,789,000,000 |
| 1981 | - | $3,207,041,000,000 |
| 1980 | - | $2,857,307,000,000 |
| 1979 | - | $2,627,333,000,000 |
| 1978 | - | $2,351,599,000,000 |
| 1977 | - | $2,081,826,000,000 |
| 1976 | - | $1,873,412,000,000 |
| 1975 | - | $1,684,904,000,000 |
| 1974 | - | $1,545,243,000,000 |
| 1973 | - | $1,425,376,000,000 |
| 1972 | - | $1,279,110,000,000 |
| 1971 | - | $1,164,850,000,000 |
| 1970 | - | $1,073,303,000,000 |
| 1969 | - | $1,017,438,172,414 |
| 1968 | - | $940,225,000,000 |
| 1967 | - | $859,620,034,483 |
| 1966 | - | $813,032,758,621 |
| 1965 | - | $741,904,862,069 |
| 1964 | - | $684,144,620,690 |
| 1963 | - | $637,058,551,724 |
| 1962 | - | $603,639,413,793 |
| 1961 | - | $561,940,310,345 |
| 1960 | - | $541,988,586,207 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/united-states | CC BY 
North Korea and United States economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2024 | $1,319 | $84,534 |
| 2023 | $1,217 | $81,490 |
| 2022 | $1,100 | $76,829 |
| 2021 | $1,231 | $70,249 |
| 2020 | $1,061 | $63,526 |
| 2019 | $1,084 | $65,120 |
| 2018 | $1,100 | $62,823 |
| 2017 | $1,127 | $59,908 |
| 2016 | $1,124 | $57,867 |
| 2015 | $1,201 | $56,763 |
| 2014 | $1,201 | $55,124 |
| 2013 | $1,208 | $53,291 |
| 2012 | $1,186 | $51,784 |
| 2011 | $1,156 | $50,066 |
| 2010 | $1,040 | $48,651 |
| 2009 | $939 | $47,195 |
| 2008 | - | $48,570 |
| 2007 | - | $48,050 |
| 2006 | - | $46,302 |
| 2005 | - | $44,123 |
| 2004 | - | $41,725 |
| 2003 | - | $39,490 |
| 2002 | - | $37,998 |
| 2001 | - | $37,134 |
| 2000 | - | $36,330 |
| 1999 | - | $34,484 |
| 1998 | - | $32,823 |
| 1997 | - | $31,430 |
| 1996 | - | $29,937 |
| 1995 | - | $28,661 |
| 1994 | - | $27,662 |
| 1993 | - | $26,353 |
| 1992 | - | $25,381 |
| 1991 | - | $24,293 |
| 1990 | - | $23,840 |
| 1989 | - | $22,857 |
| 1988 | - | $21,417 |
| 1987 | - | $20,039 |
| 1986 | - | $19,071 |
| 1985 | - | $18,237 |
| 1984 | - | $17,121 |
| 1983 | - | $15,544 |
| 1982 | - | $14,434 |
| 1981 | - | $13,976 |
| 1980 | - | $12,613 |
| 1979 | - | $11,674 |
| 1978 | - | $10,565 |
| 1977 | - | $9,453 |
| 1976 | - | $8,592 |
| 1975 | - | $7,801 |
| 1974 | - | $7,226 |
| 1973 | - | $6,726 |
| 1972 | - | $6,094 |
| 1971 | - | $5,609 |
| 1970 | - | $5,234 |
| 1969 | - | $5,020 |
| 1968 | - | $4,685 |
| 1967 | - | $4,326 |
| 1966 | - | $4,136 |
| 1965 | - | $3,818 |
| 1964 | - | $3,565 |
| 1963 | - | $3,366 |
| 1962 | - | $3,236 |
| 1961 | - | $3,059 |
| 1960 | - | $3,000 |
Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/united-states | CC BY
North Korea vs. United States life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2026 | 74 | 79.8 |
| 2025 | 73.9 | 79.6 |
| 2024 | 73.7 | 79.5 |
| 2023 | 73.6 | 79.3 |
| 2022 | 73.6 | 78 |
| 2021 | 73.4 | 76.4 |
| 2020 | 72.8 | 77 |
| 2019 | 72.9 | 78.9 |
| 2018 | 73 | 78.8 |
| 2017 | 73 | 78.6 |
| 2016 | 73 | 78.7 |
| 2015 | 72.8 | 78.7 |
| 2014 | 72.5 | 78.9 |
| 2013 | 71.9 | 78.8 |
| 2012 | 71.3 | 78.8 |
| 2011 | 70.8 | 78.7 |
| 2010 | 70.2 | 78.7 |
| 2009 | 69.7 | 78.5 |
| 2008 | 69.3 | 78.1 |
| 2007 | 69 | 78 |
| 2006 | 69.1 | 77.8 |
| 2005 | 69.2 | 77.5 |
| 2004 | 69.3 | 77.5 |
| 2003 | 69.4 | 77.1 |
| 2002 | 60.9 | 77 |
| 2001 | 60.9 | 76.9 |
| 2000 | 60.9 | 76.8 |
| 1999 | 60.9 | 76.7 |
| 1998 | 60.9 | 76.7 |
| 1997 | 60.9 | 76.5 |
| 1996 | 60.8 | 76.2 |
| 1995 | 60.8 | 75.9 |
| 1994 | 70.5 | 75.7 |
| 1993 | 70.8 | 75.6 |
| 1992 | 71 | 75.8 |
| 1991 | 70.7 | 75.5 |
| 1990 | 70.5 | 75.4 |
| 1989 | 70.3 | 75.1 |
| 1988 | 70.1 | 74.8 |
| 1987 | 69.8 | 74.9 |
| 1986 | 69.5 | 74.7 |
| 1985 | 69.2 | 74.7 |
| 1984 | 68.9 | 74.7 |
| 1983 | 68.5 | 74.6 |
| 1982 | 68.1 | 74.5 |
| 1981 | 67.7 | 74.1 |
| 1980 | 67.2 | 73.7 |
| 1979 | 66.7 | 73.8 |
| 1978 | 66.3 | 73.4 |
| 1977 | 65.8 | 73.2 |
| 1976 | 65.3 | 72.8 |
| 1975 | 64.8 | 72.5 |
| 1974 | 64.3 | 72 |
| 1973 | 63.8 | 71.4 |
| 1972 | 63.3 | 71.2 |
| 1971 | 62.7 | 71.1 |
| 1970 | 62 | 70.7 |
| 1969 | 61.4 | 70.5 |
| 1968 | 60.8 | 70.2 |
| 1967 | 60.1 | 70.5 |
| 1966 | 59.4 | 70.2 |
| 1965 | 58.8 | 70.2 |
| 1964 | 58.2 | 70.2 |
| 1963 | 57.6 | 69.9 |
| 1962 | 57 | 70.1 |
| 1961 | 56.4 | 70.3 |
| 1960 | 55.8 | 69.8 |
| 1959 | 55.2 | 69.9 |
| 1958 | 54.5 | 69.7 |
| 1957 | 53.7 | 69.4 |
| 1956 | 52.8 | 69.6 |
| 1955 | 51.8 | 69.6 |
| 1954 | 50.6 | 69.5 |
| 1953 | 40.3 | 68.7 |
| 1952 | 32.8 | 68.4 |
| 1951 | 17.7 | 68.2 |
| 1950 | 14.2 | 68.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/united-states | CC BY
North Korea and United States population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2025 | - | 341,784,857 |
| 2024 | 26,498,823 | 340,110,988 |
| 2023 | 26,418,204 | 334,914,895 |
| 2022 | 26,328,845 | 333,271,411 |
| 2021 | 26,232,534 | 331,893,745 |
| 2020 | 26,136,312 | 331,526,933 |
| 2019 | 26,037,632 | 328,329,953 |
| 2018 | 25,931,147 | 326,838,199 |
| 2017 | 25,817,709 | 325,122,128 |
| 2016 | 25,698,326 | 323,071,755 |
| 2015 | 25,575,350 | 320,738,994 |
| 2014 | 25,451,262 | 318,386,329 |
| 2013 | 25,329,451 | 316,059,947 |
| 2012 | 25,211,728 | 313,877,662 |
| 2011 | 25,097,874 | 311,583,481 |
| 2010 | 24,987,258 | 309,327,143 |
| 2009 | 24,878,332 | 306,771,529 |
| 2008 | 24,764,618 | 304,093,966 |
| 2007 | 24,646,383 | 301,231,207 |
| 2006 | 24,524,507 | 298,379,912 |
| 2005 | 24,396,433 | 295,516,599 |
| 2004 | 24,254,943 | 292,805,298 |
| 2003 | 24,090,380 | 290,107,933 |
| 2002 | 23,943,973 | 287,625,193 |
| 2001 | 23,815,358 | 284,968,955 |
| 2000 | 23,665,910 | 282,162,411 |
| 1999 | 23,497,599 | 279,294,713 |
| 1998 | 23,311,564 | 276,115,288 |
| 1997 | 23,110,830 | 272,911,760 |
| 1996 | 22,895,746 | 269,667,391 |
| 1995 | 22,669,304 | 266,557,091 |
| 1994 | 22,393,975 | 263,435,673 |
| 1993 | 22,073,352 | 260,255,352 |
| 1992 | 21,750,911 | 256,894,189 |
| 1991 | 21,428,638 | 253,492,503 |
| 1990 | 21,112,137 | 250,131,894 |
| 1989 | 20,804,367 | 246,819,222 |
| 1988 | 20,503,161 | 244,499,004 |
| 1987 | 20,205,483 | 242,288,936 |
| 1986 | 19,910,855 | 240,132,831 |
| 1985 | 19,620,388 | 237,923,734 |
| 1984 | 19,335,043 | 235,824,908 |
| 1983 | 19,054,034 | 233,792,014 |
| 1982 | 18,776,357 | 231,664,432 |
| 1981 | 18,501,295 | 229,465,744 |
| 1980 | 18,236,786 | 226,542,250 |
| 1979 | 17,983,470 | 225,055,487 |
| 1978 | 17,735,995 | 222,584,545 |
| 1977 | 17,492,798 | 220,239,425 |
| 1976 | 17,243,450 | 218,035,164 |
| 1975 | 16,971,055 | 215,973,199 |
| 1974 | 16,673,121 | 213,853,928 |
| 1973 | 16,350,367 | 211,908,788 |
| 1972 | 15,975,069 | 209,896,021 |
| 1971 | 15,572,457 | 207,660,677 |
| 1970 | 15,172,775 | 205,052,174 |
| 1969 | 14,767,615 | 202,676,946 |
| 1968 | 14,365,596 | 200,706,052 |
| 1967 | 13,958,350 | 198,712,056 |
| 1966 | 13,569,094 | 196,560,338 |
| 1965 | 13,219,369 | 194,302,963 |
| 1964 | 12,889,770 | 191,888,791 |
| 1963 | 12,567,057 | 189,241,798 |
| 1962 | 12,262,882 | 186,537,737 |
| 1961 | 11,990,713 | 183,691,481 |
| 1960 | 11,722,953 | 180,671,158 |
| 1959 | - | 177,829,628 |
| 1958 | - | 174,881,904 |
| 1957 | - | 171,984,130 |
| 1956 | - | 168,903,031 |
| 1955 | - | 165,931,202 |
| 1954 | - | 163,025,854 |
| 1953 | - | 160,184,192 |
| 1952 | - | 157,552,740 |
| 1951 | - | 154,877,889 |
| 1950 | - | 152,271,417 |
| 1949 | - | 149,188,130 |
| 1948 | - | 146,631,302 |
| 1947 | - | 144,126,071 |
| 1946 | - | 141,388,566 |
| 1945 | - | 139,928,165 |
| 1944 | - | 138,397,345 |
| 1943 | - | 136,739,353 |
| 1942 | - | 134,859,553 |
| 1941 | - | 133,402,471 |
| 1940 | - | 132,122,446 |
| 1939 | - | 130,879,718 |
| 1938 | - | 129,824,939 |
| 1937 | - | 128,824,829 |
| 1936 | - | 128,053,180 |
| 1935 | - | 127,250,232 |
| 1934 | - | 126,373,773 |
| 1933 | - | 125,578,763 |
| 1932 | - | 124,840,471 |
| 1931 | - | 124,039,648 |
| 1930 | - | 123,076,741 |
| 1929 | - | 121,767,000 |
| 1928 | - | 120,509,000 |
| 1927 | - | 119,035,000 |
| 1926 | - | 117,397,000 |
| 1925 | - | 115,829,000 |
| 1924 | - | 114,109,000 |
| 1923 | - | 111,947,000 |
| 1922 | - | 110,049,000 |
| 1921 | - | 108,538,000 |
| 1920 | - | 106,461,000 |
| 1919 | - | 104,514,000 |
| 1918 | - | 103,208,000 |
| 1917 | - | 103,268,000 |
| 1916 | - | 101,961,000 |
| 1915 | - | 100,546,000 |
| 1914 | - | 99,111,000 |
| 1913 | - | 97,225,000 |
| 1912 | - | 95,335,000 |
| 1911 | - | 93,863,000 |
| 1910 | - | 92,407,000 |
| 1909 | - | 90,490,000 |
| 1908 | - | 88,710,000 |
| 1907 | - | 87,008,000 |
| 1906 | - | 85,450,000 |
| 1905 | - | 83,822,000 |
| 1904 | - | 82,166,000 |
| 1903 | - | 80,632,000 |
| 1902 | - | 79,163,000 |
| 1901 | - | 77,584,000 |
| 1900 | - | 76,094,000 |
Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau (1900–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/united-states | CC BY
Fertility rates in North Korea and United States
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2023 | 1.78 | 1.62 |
| 2022 | 1.8 | 1.66 |
| 2021 | 1.81 | 1.66 |
| 2020 | 1.82 | 1.64 |
| 2019 | 1.83 | 1.71 |
| 2018 | 1.83 | 1.73 |
| 2017 | 1.85 | 1.77 |
| 2016 | 1.86 | 1.82 |
| 2015 | 1.86 | 1.84 |
| 2014 | 1.87 | 1.86 |
| 2013 | 1.88 | 1.86 |
| 2012 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | 1.89 |
| 2010 | 1.89 | 1.93 |
| 2009 | 1.91 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1.97 | 2.07 |
| 2007 | 1.94 | 2.12 |
| 2006 | 1.94 | 2.11 |
| 2005 | 1.87 | 2.06 |
| 2004 | 1.9 | 2.05 |
| 2003 | 1.91 | 2.05 |
| 2002 | 1.92 | 2.02 |
| 2001 | 1.94 | 2.03 |
| 2000 | 1.94 | 2.06 |
| 1999 | 1.97 | 2.01 |
| 1998 | 1.99 | 2 |
| 1997 | 2.03 | 1.97 |
| 1996 | 2.09 | 1.98 |
| 1995 | 2.15 | 1.98 |
| 1994 | 2.18 | 2 |
| 1993 | 2.22 | 2.02 |
| 1992 | 2.29 | 2.05 |
| 1991 | 2.35 | 2.06 |
| 1990 | 2.39 | 2.08 |
| 1989 | 2.41 | 2.01 |
| 1988 | 2.47 | 1.93 |
| 1987 | 2.53 | 1.87 |
| 1986 | 2.59 | 1.84 |
| 1985 | 2.65 | 1.84 |
| 1984 | 2.71 | 1.81 |
| 1983 | 2.78 | 1.8 |
| 1982 | 2.85 | 1.83 |
| 1981 | 2.92 | 1.81 |
| 1980 | 2.84 | 1.84 |
| 1979 | 2.85 | 1.81 |
| 1978 | 2.79 | 1.76 |
| 1977 | 2.77 | 1.79 |
| 1976 | 2.84 | 1.74 |
| 1975 | 3.05 | 1.77 |
| 1974 | 3.14 | 1.84 |
| 1973 | 3.35 | 1.88 |
| 1972 | 3.89 | 2.01 |
| 1971 | 3.74 | 2.27 |
| 1970 | 3.85 | 2.48 |
| 1969 | 3.86 | 2.46 |
| 1968 | 3.87 | 2.46 |
| 1967 | 4.05 | 2.56 |
| 1966 | 3.71 | 2.72 |
| 1965 | 3.56 | 2.91 |
| 1964 | 3.55 | 3.19 |
| 1963 | 3.63 | 3.32 |
| 1962 | 3.41 | 3.46 |
| 1961 | 3.26 | 3.62 |
| 1960 | 3.57 | 3.65 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/united-states | CC BY
North Korea and United States demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2024 | 37.3 | 39.3 |
| 2023 | 37.1 | 39 |
| 2022 | 36.8 | 38.7 |
| 2021 | 36.6 | 38.5 |
| 2020 | 36.4 | 38.2 |
| 2019 | 36.2 | 38 |
| 2018 | 35.9 | 37.9 |
| 2017 | 35.7 | 37.7 |
| 2016 | 35.4 | 37.6 |
| 2015 | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| 2014 | 35 | 37.3 |
| 2013 | 34.7 | 37.2 |
| 2012 | 34.5 | 37.1 |
| 2011 | 34.3 | 37 |
| 2010 | 34 | 36.9 |
| 2009 | 33.7 | 36.7 |
| 2008 | 33.3 | 36.6 |
| 2007 | 32.9 | 36.5 |
| 2006 | 32.5 | 36.4 |
| 2005 | 32.1 | 36.2 |
| 2004 | 31.8 | 36 |
| 2003 | 31.4 | 35.8 |
| 2002 | 31 | 35.6 |
| 2001 | 30.5 | 35.5 |
| 2000 | 30.1 | 35.3 |
| 1999 | 29.6 | 35.1 |
| 1998 | 29.2 | 34.9 |
| 1997 | 28.8 | 34.6 |
| 1996 | 28.3 | 34.4 |
| 1995 | 28 | 34.1 |
| 1994 | 27.6 | 33.8 |
| 1993 | 27.2 | 33.6 |
| 1992 | 26.8 | 33.4 |
| 1991 | 26.4 | 33.2 |
| 1990 | 26 | 32.9 |
| 1989 | 25.6 | 32.7 |
| 1988 | 25.1 | 32.4 |
| 1987 | 24.8 | 32.1 |
| 1986 | 24.5 | 31.8 |
| 1985 | 24.2 | 31.5 |
| 1984 | 23.9 | 31.2 |
| 1983 | 23.5 | 30.9 |
| 1982 | 23.1 | 30.7 |
| 1981 | 22.8 | 30.4 |
| 1980 | 22.5 | 30.1 |
| 1979 | 22.2 | 29.9 |
| 1978 | 21.8 | 29.6 |
| 1977 | 21.4 | 29.2 |
| 1976 | 21.1 | 28.9 |
| 1975 | 20.9 | 28.7 |
| 1974 | 20.7 | 28.5 |
| 1973 | 20.7 | 28.3 |
| 1972 | 20.9 | 28 |
| 1971 | 21.2 | 27.9 |
| 1970 | 21.4 | 27.8 |
| 1969 | 21.4 | 27.9 |
| 1968 | 21.4 | 27.9 |
| 1967 | 21.4 | 27.9 |
| 1966 | 21.3 | 27.9 |
| 1965 | 21.2 | 28.1 |
| 1964 | 21 | 28.2 |
| 1963 | 20.8 | 28.5 |
| 1962 | 20.6 | 28.7 |
| 1961 | 20.2 | 29 |
| 1960 | 19.9 | 29.2 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/united-states | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for North Korea and the United States.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method | n/a |
$28.4T
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
37.9%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
5.42%
2021 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
3.42%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
1,469,000
2020 |
1,395,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | n/a |
-8.03%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
25.6%
2013 |
4.02%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP | n/a |
79.7%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP | n/a |
17.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
3.1
2026 |
72.8
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% | n/a |
30.4%
2023 |
| Income share by poorest 10% | n/a |
1.8%
2023 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
23,831,000
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
9.21%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
902
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.0003%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
4,010
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$62.2T
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold | n/a |
$910B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received | n/a |
$8.71B
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals | n/a |
45,037,000
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports | n/a |
3.88%
2020 |
| Banked people share | n/a |
97%
2024 |
Energy
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
641 kg
2022 |
6,364 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use | n/a |
$12.9
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
66.2 megatons
2024 |
4,632 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
2.5 tons
2024 |
13.6 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
85.1%
2022 |
81.6%
2023 |
| Renewable energy use share |
14.7%
2021 |
10.9%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
8.5%
2022 |
14%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
4.9%
2022 |
-9%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
830 kWh
2022 |
12,551 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
63.2%
2021 |
20.3%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
62.7%
2022 |
6.04%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
18.1%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
57.5%
2023 |
100%
2023 |
Society
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.33%
2024 |
4.21%
2025 |
| Annual migration change |
-2,787
2025 |
+1,230,663
2025 |
| Urban population |
63.9%
2024 |
80.1%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.5:50.5
2024 |
50.2:49.8
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.73 ft
2025 |
5.8 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.29 ft
2025 |
5.36 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
10.1
2026 |
87.9
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
15
2025 |
64
2025 |
| Higher education index |
10
2026 |
100
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
4.4
2015 |
5.76
2023 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
24.2
2019 |
12.7
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
48
2025 |
166
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
100%
2018 |
99%
2003 |
| English speaking |
0%
2025 |
95.3%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
0%
2012 |
93.1%
2023 |
Health
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$13,473
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$1,472
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
74 years
2026 |
79.8 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure | n/a |
0%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
3.63
2017 |
3.68
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth | n/a |
27.3 years
2021 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
67
2023 |
17
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
18
2023 |
6.5
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
11.1%
2022 |
42.7%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
9.9%
2024 |
13.7%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
42
2026 |
84
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
16.5%
2022 |
24.3%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.87 liters
2020 |
9.9 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
North Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.08%
2026 |
6.14%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
1,754 sq mi
2024 |
10,334 sq mi
2025 |
| Agricultural land area |
10,021 sq mi
2026 |
1,627,576 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
23,036 sq mi
2026 |
1,196,125 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
15,879 mi
2006 |
4,092,730 mi
2024 |
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 (1900–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (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)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2021, retrieved 2026-03-10)
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.