Country Profile: Korea, North

Korea, North, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is located in Eastern Asia on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by China, South Korea, and Russia. The country has a population of approximately 26.4 million, predominantly ethnic Koreans, and is characterized by a highly centralized government system under Kim Jong Un. Economically, North Korea remains one of the last centrally planned economies, struggling with isolationist policies, international sanctions, and chronic food shortages, while heavily relying on China for support.

Geography

North Korea covers an area of 120,538 square kilometers, featuring a temperate climate with concentrated summer rainfall and long, harsh winters. Its terrain is mostly hilly and mountainous, with significant natural resources including coal, iron ore, and hydropower. The country's strategic location and predominantly mountainous interior impact its population distribution, which is concentrated in western provinces and urban areas like Pyongyang.

Coastline: 2,495 km
Highest Point: Paektu-san at 2,744 m
Natural Resources: Includes coal, iron ore, and precious metals
Forest Cover: 64% of land area (2023)
Agricultural Land: 21.6% of total land (2023 est.)

People and Society

North Korea's population is estimated at 26,402,841 (2025), predominantly ethnic Koreans, with a significant urban population of 63.2% living in cities. The society is racially homogeneous, with some Chinese and Japanese communities. Education and health services are state-controlled, with reported challenges in maternal and infant mortality rates reflecting broader systemic issues.

Median Age: 36.2 years (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 73.5 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 12.99 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 0.85% annual growth (2020-2025)
Total Fertility Rate: 1.8 children per woman (2025 est.)

Economy

North Korea's economy is primarily state-controlled, suffering from international sanctions and economic mismanagement. As of 2023, the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated at $15.416 billion, showing marginal growth from previous years. The economy's core industries include military production, agriculture, and mining, relying heavily on trade with China.

GDP per Capita: $600 (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 2.9% (2024 est.)
Agricultural Products: Includes maize, rice, and vegetables (2023)
Exports: Predominantly to China (74%)
Labor Force: 17.637 million (2024 est.)

Government

North Korea operates as a single-party communist state led by Kim Jong Un, with a governance structure designed to tightly control all aspects of life. The country's administration includes nine provinces and four special administration cities, with the Supreme People’s Assembly functioning largely as a rubberstamp body for the Workers' Party of Korea.

Established: 1948 (as the DPRK)
Constitution: Last adopted in 1998
Chief of State: Kim Jong Un (since 2011)
Electoral System: Indirect elections for leadership roles
Voting Age: 17 years

Military and Security

The Korean People's Army (KPA) is among the world's largest military forces, reflecting the regime's emphasis on defense. Military expenditures account for 16% of state expenditures, and North Korea maintains a significant arsenal of both conventional and unconventional weapons, including nuclear capabilities.

Active Personnel: Up to 1.3 million (2025)
Military Service Age: Compulsory for men (ages 17-30) and women (ages 17-23)
Defense Spending: Estimates ranged from $7 billion to $11 billion annually
Military Equipment: Relies on older systems from China and Russia, as well as domestically produced arms
Military Deployments: Estimated 10-12,000 in Russia (2025)

Energy

North Korea's energy landscape is largely defined by hydroelectric sources, with significant reliance on coal for electricity generation. The country struggles with electrification, with only about 54.7% of the population having access to electricity.

Installed Capacity: 8.357 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 22.448 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Coal Production: 21.928 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 23.83 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Renewable Water Resources: 77.15 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in North Korea includes extensive railways and a modest network of roads and airports. The reliance on rail transport is significant, while the merchant marine fleet is utilized for trade.

Total Railways: 7,435 km (2014)
Airports: 81 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 264 vessels (2023)
Ports: 10 total (2024)
Heliports: 8 (2025)

Communications

North Korea's communications are tightly controlled by the state, with limited access to international media. Internet usage is restricted to a small elite, and the country relies on state-run broadcasting services.

Fixed-line Subscriptions: 1.18 million (2021)
Mobile Subscriptions: 6.35 million (2022)
Broadcast Media: No independent media exists
Internet Country Code: .kp
Televisions and Radios: Pre-tuned to government stations

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	26,402,841 (2025)	Estimated total population
Area	120,538 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$16.447 billion	Official exchange rate (2023 est.)
Real GDP	$15.416 billion	Purchasing power parity (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption	22.448 billion kWh	Electricity consumption (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2.9% (2024)	Percentage of labor force
Life Expectancy	73.5 years (2024)	Average life expectancy
Birth Rate	12.99 births/1,000	Birth rate (2025 est.)
Urban Population	63.2% (2023)	Urbanization rate
Median Age	36.2 years (2025)	Average age of the population