Country Profile: Korea, North

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), occupies the northern part of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, bordered by China, South Korea, and Russia. The country covers an area of approximately 120,538 square kilometers and is characterized by a mostly mountainous terrain and a temperate climate. With a population estimated at over 26 million, North Korea operates as a single-party communist state led by Kim Jong Un, continuing a lineage of authoritarian governance that emphasizes military strength and ideological adherence. The economy is centrally planned and faces severe challenges, including international sanctions, food shortages, and reliance on China for trade.

Geography

North Korea is situated in Eastern Asia, covering the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. The country features a temperate climate with significant rainfall in summer and severe winters, while its geography is dominated by hills and mountains, with a rugged coastline measuring 2,495 km. The population is largely concentrated in the lowlands, particularly around the capital, Pyongyang.

Area: 120,538 sq km
Highest Point: Paektu-san at 2,744 m
Land Borders: Totaling 1,607 km, with China (1,352 km) and South Korea (237 km)
Climate: Long, bitter winters and a temperate climate
Natural Resources: Include coal, iron ore, and hydropower

People and Society

As of 2025, North Korea's population is estimated at 26,402,841, predominantly racially homogeneous with a small presence of ethnic Chinese and Japanese. The country has a median age of 36.2 years and exhibits significant urbanization, with 63.2% of the population living in urban areas. Traditional belief systems include Buddhism and Confucianism, though religious practices are heavily restricted by the state.

Birth Rate: 12.99 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 73.5 years (2024 est.)
Urban Population: 63.2% of total population (2023)
Population Growth Rate: 0.4% (2025 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate: 14.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Tobacco Use: 16% (2025 est.)

Economy

North Korea maintains one of the world's few remaining centrally planned economies. Its economy has been significantly weakened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, crop failures, and international sanctions. In 2024, the economy is expected to continue its reliance on China, with a real GDP of approximately $15.416 billion (PPP) and a per capita income of $600.

GDP (official exchange rate): $16.447 billion (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 2.9% (2024 est.)
Labor Force: 17.637 million (2024 est.)
Exports: China accounts for 74% of trade (2023)
Main Industries: Military products, agriculture, textiles, and tourism

Government

North Korea is governed as a dictatorship, where the Workers' Party of Korea maintains exclusive control over the state. The government structure includes a unicameral legislative body, the Supreme People's Assembly, with current leadership under Kim Jong Un, who has been in power since December 2011. The country does not recognize dual citizenship and enforces compulsory military service.

Capital: Pyongyang
Government Type: Dictatorship, single-party communist state
Administrative Divisions: Includes 9 provinces and 4 special administration cities
Legal System: Civil law system based on the Prussian model

Military and Security

The Korean People's Army (KPA) is among the largest military forces globally, tasked with national defense and supporting state projects. Military expenditures remain a priority in the budget, constituting nearly 16% of state expenditures in 2024. The KPA relies on older weaponry and has faced significant international sanctions related to its nuclear weapons program.

Military Personnel Strength: Up to 1.3 million active-duty (2025)
Military Expenditures: Approximately $7 to $11 billion annually
Compulsory Military Service: Required for men (ages 17-30) and women (ages 17-23)
Military Equipment: Includes domestically produced and foreign-supplied weaponry

Energy

The energy sector of North Korea is primarily reliant on coal and hydroelectric power, with 54.7% of the population having access to electricity. In 2023, the total electricity generation capacity stands at 8.357 million kW.

Electricity Consumption: 22.448 billion kWh (2023)
Coal Production: 21.928 million metric tons (2023)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 23.83 million Btu/person (2023)

Environment

Environmental challenges in North Korea include water pollution, deforestation, and inadequate potable water access. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements but faces significant ecological degradation.

Urban Population Rate: 63.2% (2023)
Deforestation and Soil Erosion: Ongoing environmental issues
Total Water Withdrawal: 6.61 billion cubic meters (2022)

Transportation

North Korea's transportation infrastructure includes 81 airports and a railway network totaling 7,435 km. The country has a merchant marine fleet of 264 vessels and a focus on small ports for local trade.

Airports: 81 (2025)
Railway Network: 7,435 km
Merchant Marine: 264 vessels (2023)

Communications

The telecommunications sector in North Korea is tightly controlled by the state, with mobile cellular subscriptions reaching 6.35 million in 2022. Internet access is limited, with government restrictions on information.

Fixed-Line Telephones: 1.18 million subscriptions (2021 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 6.35 million (2022)
Broadcast Media: State-controlled with no independent media

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	26,402,841	2025 estimate
Area	120,538 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$15.416 billion	2023 estimate
Real GDP per capita	$600	2023 estimate
Unemployment rate	2.9%	2024 estimate
Life expectancy	73.5 years	2024 estimate
Birth rate	12.99 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Urban population	63.2%	2023
Military personnel	Up to 1.3 million	2025 estimate
Electricity access	54.7%	2022 estimate