The latest officially reported population of Bhutan was 791,524 in 2024 vs 26,498,823 people in North Korea in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Bhutan's population is 803,385 people compared to 26,659,144 in North Korea.
Population statistics:
- North Korea's population is 33.2 times bigger than Bhutan's.
- Bhutan is ranked the 163rd most populous country in the world, while North Korea is the 57th.
- The countries together account for 0.33% of the world: 0.01% for Bhutan vs 0.32% for North Korea.
- For the last 10 years, Bhutan has had an average growth rate of +0.8% per year vs +0.41% in North Korea.
- Since 2006, the population of Bhutan has increased from 671K people to 803K (19.8% growth), while North Korea has grown from 24.5M to 26.7M (8.7% growth).
Bhutan vs North Korea: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2100 | 695,106 | 19,604,631 |
| 2099 | 699,983 | 19,733,548 |
| 2098 | 704,455 | 19,862,949 |
| 2097 | 709,230 | 19,993,288 |
| 2096 | 713,930 | 20,124,518 |
| 2095 | 719,152 | 20,256,401 |
| 2094 | 724,401 | 20,388,156 |
| 2093 | 729,500 | 20,520,253 |
| 2092 | 735,075 | 20,652,961 |
| 2091 | 741,074 | 20,785,785 |
| 2090 | 746,937 | 20,918,305 |
| 2089 | 753,010 | 21,050,580 |
| 2088 | 758,937 | 21,182,325 |
| 2087 | 765,235 | 21,314,047 |
| 2086 | 770,883 | 21,445,329 |
| 2085 | 776,435 | 21,575,835 |
| 2084 | 781,892 | 21,705,777 |
| 2083 | 787,929 | 21,835,029 |
| 2082 | 793,543 | 21,964,199 |
| 2081 | 799,530 | 22,092,862 |
| 2080 | 805,275 | 22,220,948 |
| 2079 | 811,060 | 22,348,577 |
| 2078 | 816,530 | 22,475,755 |
| 2077 | 821,247 | 22,602,817 |
| 2076 | 825,978 | 22,729,499 |
| 2075 | 830,808 | 22,856,369 |
| 2074 | 836,017 | 22,983,784 |
| 2073 | 841,208 | 23,111,441 |
| 2072 | 845,861 | 23,239,261 |
| 2071 | 850,262 | 23,367,583 |
| 2070 | 853,930 | 23,496,136 |
| 2069 | 857,808 | 23,625,538 |
| 2068 | 861,327 | 23,755,136 |
| 2067 | 864,753 | 23,884,879 |
| 2066 | 868,260 | 24,015,027 |
| 2065 | 871,517 | 24,144,985 |
| 2064 | 873,735 | 24,274,257 |
| 2063 | 875,674 | 24,402,439 |
| 2062 | 877,938 | 24,529,941 |
| 2061 | 880,023 | 24,656,350 |
| 2060 | 881,913 | 24,780,911 |
| 2059 | 883,191 | 24,903,037 |
| 2058 | 884,515 | 25,023,260 |
| 2057 | 884,612 | 25,140,523 |
| 2056 | 885,822 | 25,255,342 |
| 2055 | 886,403 | 25,366,397 |
| 2054 | 885,903 | 25,474,292 |
| 2053 | 886,520 | 25,578,870 |
| 2052 | 886,640 | 25,679,963 |
| 2051 | 885,551 | 25,777,639 |
| 2050 | 884,535 | 25,871,673 |
| 2049 | 883,736 | 25,962,167 |
| 2048 | 882,640 | 26,048,593 |
| 2047 | 881,660 | 26,131,429 |
| 2046 | 880,037 | 26,210,487 |
| 2045 | 877,677 | 26,286,208 |
| 2044 | 875,155 | 26,358,331 |
| 2043 | 872,383 | 26,427,062 |
| 2042 | 869,248 | 26,491,482 |
| 2041 | 866,366 | 26,552,564 |
| 2040 | 863,173 | 26,609,557 |
| 2039 | 859,926 | 26,661,815 |
| 2038 | 856,429 | 26,708,400 |
| 2037 | 852,475 | 26,749,134 |
| 2036 | 848,122 | 26,783,304 |
| 2035 | 843,447 | 26,810,026 |
| 2034 | 839,780 | 26,828,912 |
| 2033 | 835,308 | 26,839,229 |
| 2032 | 830,472 | 26,840,944 |
| 2031 | 825,528 | 26,832,957 |
| 2030 | 820,888 | 26,814,812 |
| 2029 | 816,655 | 26,787,117 |
| 2028 | 812,002 | 26,749,227 |
| 2027 | 807,474 | 26,701,444 |
| 2026 | 801,869 | 26,643,460 |
| 2025 | 796,375 | 26,575,953 |
| 2024 | 791,524 | 26,498,823 |
| 2023 | 786,385 | 26,418,204 |
| 2022 | 780,914 | 26,328,845 |
| 2021 | 775,442 | 26,232,534 |
| 2020 | 770,006 | 26,136,312 |
| 2019 | 764,824 | 26,037,632 |
| 2018 | 759,759 | 25,931,147 |
| 2017 | 754,335 | 25,817,709 |
| 2016 | 747,866 | 25,698,326 |
| 2015 | 740,618 | 25,575,350 |
| 2014 | 733,139 | 25,451,262 |
| 2013 | 725,273 | 25,329,451 |
| 2012 | 717,279 | 25,211,728 |
| 2011 | 709,377 | 25,097,874 |
| 2010 | 701,632 | 24,987,258 |
| 2009 | 693,988 | 24,878,332 |
| 2008 | 686,351 | 24,764,618 |
| 2007 | 678,641 | 24,646,383 |
| 2006 | 670,799 | 24,524,507 |
| 2005 | 661,865 | 24,396,433 |
| 2004 | 650,544 | 24,254,943 |
| 2003 | 637,663 | 24,090,380 |
| 2002 | 624,409 | 23,943,973 |
| 2001 | 610,794 | 23,815,358 |
| 2000 | 596,863 | 23,665,910 |
| 1999 | 582,579 | 23,497,599 |
| 1998 | 569,435 | 23,311,564 |
| 1997 | 558,697 | 23,110,830 |
| 1996 | 548,784 | 22,895,746 |
| 1995 | 547,989 | 22,669,304 |
| 1994 | 554,497 | 22,393,975 |
| 1993 | 554,673 | 22,073,352 |
| 1992 | 577,774 | 21,750,911 |
| 1991 | 599,784 | 21,428,638 |
| 1990 | 589,287 | 21,112,137 |
| 1989 | 573,586 | 20,804,367 |
| 1988 | 556,986 | 20,503,161 |
| 1987 | 540,557 | 20,205,483 |
| 1986 | 524,324 | 19,910,855 |
| 1985 | 508,392 | 19,620,388 |
| 1984 | 492,784 | 19,335,043 |
| 1983 | 477,460 | 19,054,034 |
| 1982 | 462,485 | 18,776,357 |
| 1981 | 447,836 | 18,501,295 |
| 1980 | 433,404 | 18,236,786 |
| 1979 | 419,200 | 17,983,470 |
| 1978 | 405,243 | 17,735,995 |
| 1977 | 391,639 | 17,492,798 |
| 1976 | 378,490 | 17,243,450 |
| 1975 | 365,791 | 16,971,055 |
| 1974 | 353,538 | 16,673,121 |
| 1973 | 341,705 | 16,350,367 |
| 1972 | 330,264 | 15,975,069 |
| 1971 | 319,211 | 15,572,457 |
| 1970 | 308,528 | 15,172,775 |
| 1969 | 298,214 | 14,767,615 |
| 1968 | 288,311 | 14,365,596 |
| 1967 | 278,852 | 13,958,350 |
| 1966 | 269,820 | 13,569,094 |
| 1965 | 261,200 | 13,219,369 |
| 1964 | 252,987 | 12,889,770 |
| 1963 | 245,156 | 12,567,057 |
| 1962 | 237,636 | 12,262,882 |
| 1961 | 230,602 | 11,990,713 |
| 1960 | 224,084 | 11,722,953 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Bhutan increased by 77,067 people (a 11.5% growth), while North Korea gained 1,173,819 people (a 4.79% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Bhutan gained 55,519 people (a 7.42% growth), while North Korea's population increased by 960,818 people (a 3.74% growth).
Bhutan was ranked 161st most populous country in 2006 and is 163rd in 2026. North Korea was ranked 46th in 2006 and ranked 57th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Bhutan's population will grow by 10.1% to 884,535 people and will still be ranked 163rd. The population of North Korea will decrease by 2.95% to 25,871,673 people and rank change from 57th to 66th.
Bhutan is projected to reach its peak in 2052 at 887K people compared to the peak of 26.8M people in 2032 for North Korea.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2100 | -0.7% | -0.65% |
| 2099 | -0.63% | -0.65% |
| 2098 | -0.67% | -0.65% |
| 2097 | -0.66% | -0.65% |
| 2096 | -0.73% | -0.65% |
| 2095 | -0.72% | -0.65% |
| 2094 | -0.7% | -0.64% |
| 2093 | -0.76% | -0.64% |
| 2092 | -0.81% | -0.64% |
| 2091 | -0.78% | -0.63% |
| 2090 | -0.81% | -0.63% |
| 2089 | -0.78% | -0.62% |
| 2088 | -0.82% | -0.62% |
| 2087 | -0.73% | -0.61% |
| 2086 | -0.72% | -0.6% |
| 2085 | -0.7% | -0.6% |
| 2084 | -0.77% | -0.59% |
| 2083 | -0.71% | -0.59% |
| 2082 | -0.75% | -0.58% |
| 2081 | -0.71% | -0.58% |
| 2080 | -0.71% | -0.57% |
| 2079 | -0.67% | -0.57% |
| 2078 | -0.57% | -0.56% |
| 2077 | -0.57% | -0.56% |
| 2076 | -0.58% | -0.56% |
| 2075 | -0.62% | -0.55% |
| 2074 | -0.62% | -0.55% |
| 2073 | -0.55% | -0.55% |
| 2072 | -0.52% | -0.55% |
| 2071 | -0.43% | -0.55% |
| 2070 | -0.45% | -0.55% |
| 2069 | -0.41% | -0.55% |
| 2068 | -0.4% | -0.54% |
| 2067 | -0.4% | -0.54% |
| 2066 | -0.37% | -0.54% |
| 2065 | -0.25% | -0.53% |
| 2064 | -0.22% | -0.53% |
| 2063 | -0.26% | -0.52% |
| 2062 | -0.24% | -0.51% |
| 2061 | -0.21% | -0.5% |
| 2060 | -0.14% | -0.49% |
| 2059 | -0.15% | -0.48% |
| 2058 | -0.01% | -0.47% |
| 2057 | -0.14% | -0.45% |
| 2056 | -0.07% | -0.44% |
| 2055 | 0.06% | -0.42% |
| 2054 | -0.07% | -0.41% |
| 2053 | -0.01% | -0.39% |
| 2052 | 0.12% | -0.38% |
| 2051 | 0.11% | -0.36% |
| 2050 | 0.09% | -0.35% |
| 2049 | 0.12% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | 0.11% | -0.32% |
| 2047 | 0.18% | -0.3% |
| 2046 | 0.27% | -0.29% |
| 2045 | 0.29% | -0.27% |
| 2044 | 0.32% | -0.26% |
| 2043 | 0.36% | -0.24% |
| 2042 | 0.33% | -0.23% |
| 2041 | 0.37% | -0.21% |
| 2040 | 0.38% | -0.2% |
| 2039 | 0.41% | -0.17% |
| 2038 | 0.46% | -0.15% |
| 2037 | 0.51% | -0.13% |
| 2036 | 0.55% | -0.1% |
| 2035 | 0.44% | -0.07% |
| 2034 | 0.54% | -0.04% |
| 2033 | 0.58% | -0.006% |
| 2032 | 0.6% | 0.03% |
| 2031 | 0.57% | 0.07% |
| 2030 | 0.52% | 0.1% |
| 2029 | 0.57% | 0.14% |
| 2028 | 0.56% | 0.18% |
| 2027 | 0.7% | 0.22% |
| 2026 | 0.69% | 0.25% |
| 2025 | 0.61% | 0.29% |
| 2024 | 0.65% | 0.31% |
| 2023 | 0.7% | 0.34% |
| 2022 | 0.71% | 0.37% |
| 2021 | 0.71% | 0.37% |
| 2020 | 0.68% | 0.38% |
| 2019 | 0.67% | 0.41% |
| 2018 | 0.72% | 0.44% |
| 2017 | 0.86% | 0.46% |
| 2016 | 0.98% | 0.48% |
| 2015 | 1.02% | 0.49% |
| 2014 | 1.08% | 0.48% |
| 2013 | 1.11% | 0.47% |
| 2012 | 1.11% | 0.45% |
| 2011 | 1.1% | 0.44% |
| 2010 | 1.1% | 0.44% |
| 2009 | 1.11% | 0.46% |
| 2008 | 1.14% | 0.48% |
| 2007 | 1.17% | 0.5% |
| 2006 | 1.35% | 0.52% |
| 2005 | 1.74% | 0.58% |
| 2004 | 2.02% | 0.68% |
| 2003 | 2.12% | 0.61% |
| 2002 | 2.23% | 0.54% |
| 2001 | 2.33% | 0.63% |
| 2000 | 2.45% | 0.72% |
| 1999 | 2.31% | 0.8% |
| 1998 | 1.92% | 0.87% |
| 1997 | 1.81% | 0.94% |
| 1996 | 0.15% | 1% |
| 1995 | -1.17% | 1.23% |
| 1994 | -0.03% | 1.45% |
| 1993 | -4% | 1.48% |
| 1992 | -3.67% | 1.5% |
| 1991 | 1.78% | 1.5% |
| 1990 | 2.74% | 1.48% |
| 1989 | 2.98% | 1.47% |
| 1988 | 3.04% | 1.47% |
| 1987 | 3.1% | 1.48% |
| 1986 | 3.13% | 1.48% |
| 1985 | 3.17% | 1.48% |
| 1984 | 3.21% | 1.47% |
| 1983 | 3.24% | 1.48% |
| 1982 | 3.27% | 1.49% |
| 1981 | 3.33% | 1.45% |
| 1980 | 3.39% | 1.41% |
| 1979 | 3.44% | 1.4% |
| 1978 | 3.47% | 1.39% |
| 1977 | 3.47% | 1.45% |
| 1976 | 3.47% | 1.61% |
| 1975 | 3.47% | 1.79% |
| 1974 | 3.46% | 1.97% |
| 1973 | 3.46% | 2.35% |
| 1972 | 3.46% | 2.59% |
| 1971 | 3.46% | 2.63% |
| 1970 | 3.46% | 2.74% |
| 1969 | 3.43% | 2.8% |
| 1968 | 3.39% | 2.92% |
| 1967 | 3.35% | 2.87% |
| 1966 | 3.3% | 2.65% |
| 1965 | 3.25% | 2.56% |
| 1964 | 3.19% | 2.57% |
| 1963 | 3.16% | 2.48% |
| 1962 | 3.05% | 2.27% |
| 1961 | 2.91% | 2.28% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Bhutan grew by 0.65%, while North Korea's population grew by 0.31%.
Live population counters
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
803385
|
26659144
|
| Population rank | 163/197 | 57/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.01% | 0.32% |
| One net population change |
1.7 hours
|
6.52 minutes
|
| One birth every |
52.8 minutes
|
1.54 minutes
|
| One death every |
1.82 hours
|
2.05 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +14 | +221 |
| Annual growth/decline | +5,139 | +80,619 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +0.65% | +0.31% |
| Population growth rate rank | 120/197 | 150/197 |
| One migration net change every |
19.3 hours
|
3.15 hours
|
| Annual migration change | +455 | -2,787 |
| Net migration rank | 69/196 | 104/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 55,705 | 50,439 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 146/195 | 150/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 7% | 0.2% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 80/195 | 189/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | 455 | - | -2,787 |
| 2024 | - | -277 | - | -2,473 |
| 2023 | 5,153 | 291 | 86,203 | -1,997 |
| 2022 | 5,204 | 291 | 96,495 | -1,997 |
| 2021 | 5,162 | 287 | 99,710 | -1,585 |
| 2020 | 5,142 | 287 | 95,920 | -1,585 |
| 2019 | 4,643 | 287 | 106,208 | -3,142 |
| 2018 | 4,909 | 287 | 113,164 | -3,225 |
| 2017 | 5,367 | 287 | 120,181 | -3,224 |
| 2016 | 6,164 | 1,116 | 125,048 | -3,222 |
| 2015 | 6,762 | 450 | 127,365 | -3,208 |
| 2014 | 7,290 | 452 | 127,078 | -3,042 |
| 2013 | 7,689 | 309 | 122,519 | -2,933 |
| 2012 | 7,967 | 20 | 118,773 | -2,919 |
| 2011 | 8,282 | -464 | 114,798 | -2,957 |
| 2010 | 8,598 | -922 | 112,443 | -3,053 |
| 2009 | 8,913 | -1,305 | 111,530 | -3,058 |
| 2008 | 9,200 | -1,538 | 122,015 | -3,051 |
| 2007 | 9,322 | -1,553 | 120,521 | -3,021 |
| 2006 | 9,197 | -1,283 | 129,171 | -2,948 |
| 2005 | 9,102 | 848 | 132,765 | -2,861 |
| 2004 | 9,056 | 3,642 | 155,838 | -2,758 |
| 2003 | 9,132 | 3,921 | 178,775 | -2,717 |
| 2002 | 9,464 | 3,996 | 119,504 | -2,763 |
| 2001 | 9,904 | 3,874 | 143,321 | -2,884 |
| 2000 | 10,142 | 3,940 | 161,591 | -3,142 |
| 1999 | 10,940 | 3,542 | 181,613 | -3,443 |
| 1998 | 11,320 | 486 | 197,589 | -3,706 |
| 1997 | 11,668 | -1,994 | 211,325 | -3,745 |
| 1996 | 12,153 | -1,998 | 226,095 | -3,512 |
| 1995 | 12,938 | -21,501 | 233,381 | -3,094 |
| 1994 | 13,536 | -17,997 | 320,861 | -517 |
| 1993 | 13,915 | -9,800 | 320,880 | 0 |
| 1992 | 15,594 | -65,900 | 324,002 | 0 |
| 1991 | 15,801 | -9,522 | 320,551 | 0 |
| 1990 | 15,704 | -1,000 | 312,460 | 0 |
| 1989 | 15,516 | 1,180 | 303,078 | 0 |
| 1988 | 15,212 | 1,286 | 299,305 | 0 |
| 1987 | 14,887 | 1,481 | 296,030 | 0 |
| 1986 | 14,516 | 1,586 | 293,227 | 0 |
| 1985 | 14,061 | 1,694 | 287,714 | 0 |
| 1984 | 13,688 | 1,779 | 282,987 | 0 |
| 1983 | 13,284 | 1,897 | 279,046 | 0 |
| 1982 | 12,872 | 1,897 | 276,332 | 0 |
| 1981 | 12,444 | 2,096 | 273,800 | 0 |
| 1980 | 12,016 | 2,307 | 255,206 | 0 |
| 1979 | 11,583 | 2,493 | 251,409 | 0 |
| 1978 | 11,133 | 2,700 | 243,533 | 0 |
| 1977 | 10,679 | 2,700 | 242,870 | 0 |
| 1976 | 10,228 | 2,700 | 255,841 | 0 |
| 1975 | 9,775 | 2,700 | 288,966 | 0 |
| 1974 | 9,324 | 2,700 | 306,902 | 0 |
| 1973 | 8,939 | 2,700 | 338,600 | 0 |
| 1972 | 8,549 | 2,700 | 411,997 | 0 |
| 1971 | 8,161 | 2,700 | 393,220 | 0 |
| 1970 | 7,791 | 2,700 | 406,129 | 0 |
| 1969 | 7,435 | 2,700 | 404,189 | 0 |
| 1968 | 7,085 | 2,593 | 399,837 | 0 |
| 1967 | 6,744 | 2,493 | 414,632 | 0 |
| 1966 | 6,418 | 2,407 | 363,882 | 0 |
| 1965 | 6,109 | 2,307 | 335,587 | 0 |
| 1964 | 5,818 | 2,196 | 323,623 | 0 |
| 1963 | 5,551 | 2,096 | 321,805 | 0 |
| 1962 | 5,297 | 2,096 | 286,534 | 0 |
| 1961 | 5,081 | 1,586 | 257,788 | 0 |
| 1960 | 4,888 | 1,481 | 277,717 | 0 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 93.3% of the population change in Bhutan is from natural causes (a gain of 55,796 people) and 6.74% is from migration (a gain of 4,035 people). In North Korea 97.7% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,097,372 people) and 2.33% is from migration (a loss of 26,227 people).
As of 2024, 55,705 residents or 7% of the population were not native-born in Bhutan, compared to 50,439 people or 0.2% in North Korea.
Biggest cities by population
|
Bhutan
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Thimphu | 115K |
| Paro | 2.36K |
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Pyongyang | 2.86M |
| Hamhung | 769K |
| Chongjin | 668K |
| Sunchon | 437K |
| Nampo | 367K |
| Wonsan | 363K |
| Sinuiju | 359K |
| Tanchon | 346K |
| Kaechon | 320K |
| Kaesong | 308K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Bhutan and North Korea
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 73.8 years | 74 years |
| Average age | 32.4 years | 38 years |
| Median age | 30.9 years | 37.3 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 53.4:46.6 | 49.5:50.5 |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 births per woman | 1.78 births per woman |
| Population density | 54.5 ppl/mi² | 573 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/bhutan/north-korea | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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