Country Profile: Korea, North

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is located in Eastern Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. With a population of approximately 26.4 million, it is characterized by its mountainous terrain and temperate climate, which presents both agricultural opportunities and challenges. The economy is one of the last centrally planned systems in the world, heavily reliant on China and facing significant challenges including international sanctions and chronic food shortages. The governance is marked by an autocratic regime led by Kim Jong Un, with the Korean Workers' Party maintaining strict control over political and economic life.

Geography

North Korea is situated in a strategic location bordered by China, South Korea, and Russia. Its landscape is largely mountainous with hills and deep valleys, while the western plains are more populated. The country experiences a temperate climate, with most rainfall occurring in summer and harsh winters.

120,538 sq km total area, slightly larger than Virginia.
1,607 km of total land boundaries.
2,495 km coastline along the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan.
64% of land is covered by forests (2023).
21.6% of land is utilized for agriculture (2023).

People and Society

The population of North Korea is racially homogeneous, with approximately 26.4 million inhabitants as of 2025, predominantly Korean. The official language is Korean, and traditional religions such as Buddhism and Confucianism persist but are heavily managed by the state.

73.5 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024).
63.2% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
12.99 births per 1,000 population indicates the birth rate (2025).
The population growth rate is estimated at 0.4% (2025).
Only 0% of women marry by age 15 (2017).

Economy

North Korea has a centrally planned economy that has struggled due to international sanctions, a lack of economic reform, and the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It relies heavily on trade with China and has had issues with exchange rate stability.

GDP in purchasing power parity is approximately $15.416 billion (2023).
GDP per capita is around $600 (2023).
2.9% unemployment rate (2024).
17.637 million is the estimated labor force (2024).
China accounts for 74% of exports (2023).

Government

North Korea operates as a dictatorship under the leadership of Kim Jong Un. The government is centralized and features a single-party system where the Korean Workers' Party dominates all political life. The constitution is often modified to consolidate power under the Kim regime.

The capital city is Pyongyang.
Suffrage is universal at age 17.
687 members form the unicameral Supreme People's Assembly.
The latest constitution was adopted in 1998 with amendments proposed by the Supreme People's Assembly.
National holiday commemorates the founding of the DPRK on September 9, 1948.

Military and Security

The Korean People's Army (KPA) is one of the largest military forces in the world, focused on national defense and maintaining the regime. Military expenditures are a priority for the government, often consuming a significant portion of GDP.

Up to 1.3 million active-duty personnel (2025).
Military spending is about 16% of state expenditures (2024).
Compulsory service is required for men (ages 17-30) and women (ages 17-23).
North Korea's military includes ground forces, navy, air force, and missile units.
The KPA is equipped with older weapon systems, many derived from China and Russia.

Energy

North Korea's energy sector is plagued by shortages and aging infrastructure. Hydroelectric sources make up a significant portion of the energy supply, yet access to electricity remains limited for the population.

54.7% of the population has access to electricity (2022).
Electricity consumption is approximately 22.448 billion kWh (2023).
21.928 million metric tons of coal produced (2023).
Installed electricity generation capacity is 8.357 million kW (2023).
36.9% of the energy capacity comes from fossil fuels (2023).

Environment

Environmental issues in North Korea include water pollution, deforestation, and soil degradation. The country is a participant in several international environmental agreements but faces significant challenges.

21.6% of land is classified for agricultural use (2023).
63.2% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
77.15 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022).
Urbanization is increasing at a rate of 0.85% annually (2020-25 est.).
55.744 million metric tons of CO2 emissions reported (2023).

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in North Korea is limited, with a significant reliance on railways and a modest network of roads. Air travel is restricted, and the civil aviation sector is not well-developed.

North Korea has 81 airports (2025).
The total railway length is approximately 7,435 km (2014).
264 ships make up the merchant marine fleet (2023).
10 ports are operational, with key ports including Ch'ongjin and Hungnam (2024).
8 heliports are registered (2025).

Communications

Communication channels in North Korea are tightly controlled by the government. The media landscape is dominated by state-run outlets, and access to foreign media is restricted.

There are 1.18 million fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2021).
Mobile cellular subscriptions total 6.35 million (2022).
The internet country code for North Korea is .kp.
All radios and televisions are preset to government stations.
Independent media is non-existent, and the government jams foreign signals (2019).

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
Energy Consumption	23.83 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	12.99 births/1,000 people	2025 estimate
Unemployment Rate	2.9%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	73.5 years	2024 estimate
Urban Population	63.2%	2023 estimate
Total Fertility Rate	1.8 children/woman	2025 estimate
Electric Access	54.7%	2022 estimate