North Korea profile

Demography and Health

North Korea has a population of about 26.5 million people as of 2024, indicating a sizeable domestic market and labor force potential. The crude birth rate of 12.9 per 1,000 people (2023) sits in a moderate range by global standards, suggesting ongoing natural population growth but not explosive expansion. The crude death rate of 9.68 per 1,000 (2023) is lower than many developing economies, which, in combination with the birth rate, supports a modest natural increase in the population. Life expectancy at birth is reported at 73.6 years (2023), reflecting relatively reasonable longevity but also signaling room for improvements in public health, nutrition, and medical services compared with higher-income nations. Child health indicators show a mortality rate for children under five of 18.0 per 1,000 live births (2023), implying ongoing challenges in maternal and child health relative to global benchmarks. The data also show a net outflow of people in 2024 (-2,473, though the units are not specified here), which points to outward migration pressures that can erode the available labor force and affect demographic dynamics over time. The suicide mortality rate is 9.31 per 100,000 people (2021), a figure that may reflect social and mental health stressors, reporting practices, and the broader humanitarian context. Taken together, these indicators suggest a population living under tight control over many life choices, with modest health outcomes and notable migration and social stress dynamics that shape long-term demographic planning.

Economy

The available indicators do not include GDP or growth rates, but several inferences can be drawn about North Korea’s economic structure and performance from the governance and environmental data provided. The overall policy environment appears markedly constrained: regulatory quality is very low (-2.39 in 2023), rule of law is weak (-1.64), control of corruption is poor (-1.58), and government effectiveness is limited (-1.48). Political stability is modestly negative (-0.366), suggesting vulnerability to internal or external shocks. These institutional constraints imply a heavily state-directed economy with limited space for private enterprise, uncertain property rights, and significant central planning risks. The combination of weak governance indicators and a small narrative of diversification hints at an economy that remains relatively insulated, with production and investment decisions closely tied to state priorities rather than market signals. The low per-capita greenhouse gas emissions (3.41 t CO2e per capita in 2023) and modest shares of renewable energy (14.7% of final energy consumption in 2021) further suggest limited industrial activity and a heavy reliance on basic energy sources, consistent with a centrally planned and resource-constrained system rather than a rapidly growing, export-led economy. The observed demographic pressures, including net outmigration, could stress the economy by reducing the available workforce and potential domestic consumption, while also signaling outward demand for better opportunities abroad. Overall, the data portray an economy that is small-to-mid in scale by global standards, tightly managed, and constrained by governance challenges and external pressures, with limited evidence of a vibrant formal investment environment.

Trade and Investment

Direct indicators of trade volumes, investment inflows, or openness are not provided. Yet the governance profile—marked by very low regulatory quality, weak rule of law, and low government effectiveness—combined with substantial external constraints (sanctions and isolation) strongly implies limited foreign trade and investment activity. Weak policy formation and high perceived risk make it difficult for foreign firms to engage confidently, and the absence of market-friendly institutions can deter investors seeking predictable property rights and contract enforcement. The relatively low renewable energy share (14.7%) and per-capita emissions point toward an economy with constrained technology adoption and infrastructure investments, which can dampen the appeal of capital-intensive joint ventures or technology transfers. The population base suggests potential demand, but without credible, stable governance and transparent regulations, attracting sustained foreign direct investment remains a challenge. In this context, external engagement is more likely to occur through tightly controlled, state-managed channels rather than broad-based, liberal trade and investment flows.

Governance and Institutions

The data depict a starkly constrained governance landscape. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism score -0.366 (2023), signaling vulnerability to internal upheaval or external pressure, even if not indicating outright collapse. The regulatory quality score of -2.39, along with a rule-of-law score of -1.64, points to substantial gaps in policy formulation, enforcement of laws, and predictable legal processes. Control of corruption at -1.58 and government effectiveness at -1.48 further indicate pervasive challenges in accountability, transparency, and the delivery of public services. Taken together, these indicators suggest an economy and society where centralized control dominates, with limited checks and balances, restricted civil liberties, and a high perceived risk for domestic and foreign actors. Such a governance environment tends to hinder reform, complicate private sector development, and perpetuate uncertainty for any long-term investment plans. The combination of weak institutions and political risk aligns with a regime that prioritizes stability and control over broad-based economic liberalization or political openness.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology capacity, as inferred from the data, show limited modern energy and technology deployment. Renewable energy accounts for 14.7% of total final energy consumption in 2021, suggesting that the energy mix remains weighted toward non-renewable sources or traditional energy sectors, with limited penetration of modern, low-emission technologies. The low greenhouse gas emissions per capita (3.41 t CO2e per person) could reflect modest industrial output and heavy reliance on basic energy sources rather than advanced, energy-intensive manufacturing. The level of water stress at 27.7% (2021) indicates moderate to notable pressure on freshwater resources, which has implications for agricultural productivity, urban water supply, and resilience to climate variability. The data do not provide granular detail on digital connectivity, transport infrastructure, or telecom networks, but the governance constraints and energy profile imply that broader modernization of infrastructure and technology faces significant hurdles, potentially limiting productivity gains and regional integration. In this context, any incremental improvements in infrastructure or technology would likely require reforms to governance, predictability, and investment climate alongside targeted sector investments.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental indicators show a nation with relatively low per-capita greenhouse gas emissions (3.41 t CO2e) but facing environmental stressors and resource constraints. The level of water stress at 27.7% signals meaningful pressure on freshwater resources, which, in conjunction with climate variability, can threaten agricultural security and human well-being. Renewable energy constitutes 14.7% of final energy consumption as of 2021, suggesting limited transition toward cleaner energy sources and indicating potential opportunities for policy-oriented improvements in energy efficiency and diversification if governance and investment conditions permit. The emissions footprint, while modest on a per-person basis, must be interpreted in light of potentially undercounted activity or data limitations common for closed economies. Overall, environmental indicators reveal an economy that is low in emissions intensity relative to many peers but faces important resource management challenges and limited progress in large-scale clean-energy deployment, underscoring the need for resilience planning and sustainable practices within the constraints of the broader governance and economic context.