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East Asia & Pacific / PRK

Korea, Dem. People's Rep.

Korea, Dem. People's Rep. flag
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2021 Factbook flag mirror; image identity has not been individually audited. Source.

Last updated: October 29, 2026

World Bank directory: capital Pyongyang · 39.0319°, 125.754° · sourceRetrieved 2026-10-29 · single source, unverified; directory metadata may be stale.
Korea, Dem. People's Rep.: CIA World Factbook map from 2021; original boundary notes preserved.
ⓘCIA World Factbook map, February 2021 media edition. Identity reviewed; current boundaries have not been audited. visual contact sheet or original identity check; does not verify current boundaries Boundaries, place names and designations may be dated or disputed; original annotations retained. SHA-256: aed0eb9b177e2140e8b177f379032e5f022f6496e6b298bcbb6c01d64eefdb63. Provenance and inspection record.

Introduction

Background:1

The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms -- Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla -- were established on the Peninsula. By the 5 th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula and part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in 688. Following the collapse of Silla in the 9 th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties. Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry among the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20 th centuries. After the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, the northern half came under Soviet-sponsored communist control.

In 1948, North Korea (formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK) was founded under President KIM Il Sung, who consolidated power and cemented autocratic one-party rule under the Korean Worker's Party (KWP). North Korea failed to conquer UN-backed South Korea (formally the Republic of Korea or ROK) during the Korean War (1950-53), after which a demilitarized zone separated the two Koreas. KIM's authoritarian rule included tight control over North Korean citizens and the demonization of the US as the central threat to North Korea's political and social system. In addition, he molded the country's economic, military, and political policies around the core objective of unifying Korea under Pyongyang's control. North Korea also declared a central ideology of juche (" self-reliance") as a check against outside influence, while continuing to rely heavily on China and the Soviet Union for economic support. KIM Il Sung's son, KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, and he assumed a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. Under KIM Jong Il's reign, North Korea continued developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. KIM Jong Un was publicly unveiled as his father's successor in 2010. Following KIM Jong Il's death in 2011, KIM Jong Un quickly assumed power and has since occupied the regime's highest political and military posts.

After the end of Soviet aid in 1991, North Korea faced serious economic setbacks that exacerbated decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation. Since the mid-1990s, North Korea has faced chronic food shortages and economic stagnation. In recent years, the North's domestic agricultural production has improved but still falls far short of producing sufficient food for its population. Starting in 2002, North Korea began to tolerate semi-private markets but has made few other efforts to meet its goal of improving the overall standard of living. New economic development plans in the 2010s failed to meet government-mandated goals for key industrial sectors, food production, or overall economic performance. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, North Korea instituted a nationwide lockdown that severely restricted its economy and international engagement. Since then, KIM has repeatedly expressed concerns with the regime's economic failures and food problems, but in 2021, he vowed to continue "self-reliant" policies and has reinvigorated his pursuit of greater regime control of the economy.

As of 2024, despite slowly renewing cross-border trade with China, North Korea remained one of the world's most isolated countries and one of Asia's poorest. In 2024, Pyongyang announced it was ending all economic cooperation with South Korea. The move followed earlier proclamations that it was scrapping a 2018 military pact with South Korea to de-escalate tensions along their militarized border, abandoning the country’s decades-long pursuit of peaceful unification with South Korea, and designating the South as North Korea’s “principal enemy.”

Geography

Location:2

Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea

Geographic coordinates:3

40 00 N, 127 00 E

Map references:4

Asia

Area:5

Surface area: 120,540 square kilometers (2024)

total:120,538 sq km
land:120,408 sq km
water:130 sq km

Area - comparative:7

slightly larger than Virginia; slightly smaller than Mississippi

Land boundaries:8

total:1,607 km
border countries (3):China 1,352 km; South Korea 237 km; Russia 18 km

Coastline:9

2,495 km

Maritime claims:10

territorial sea:12 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
note:military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned

Climate:11

temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters

Terrain:12

mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; wide coastal plains in west, discontinuous in east

Elevation:13

highest point:Paektu-san 2,744 m
lowest point:Sea of Japan 0 m
mean elevation:600 m

Natural resources:14

coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, precious metals, hydropower

Land use:15

agricultural land:21.6% (2023 est.)
arable land:19.1% (2023 est.)
permanent crops:2.1% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture:0.4% (2023 est.)
forest:64% (2023 est.)
other:14.5% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land:16

14,600 sq km (2012)

Population distribution:17

population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least-populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east

Natural hazards:18

late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall

volcanism:P'aektu-san (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or Changbaishan), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active

Geography - note:19

strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated

People and Society

Population:20

Population: 26,571,036 people (2025)

total:26,298,666 (2024 est.)
male:12,828,269
female:13,470,397

Nationality:22

noun:Korean(s)
adjective:Korean

Ethnic groups:23

racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese

Languages:24

Korean

major-language sample(s)
major-language sample(s):월드 팩트북, 필수적인 기본 정보 제공처 (Korean)
major-language sample(s):The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions:25

traditionally Buddhist and Confucian, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)

note:autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom

Age structure:26

0-14 years:19.9% (male 2,673,822/female 2,548,775)
15-64 years:68.9% (male 9,054,771/female 9,066,447)
65 years and over:11.2% (2024 est.) (male 1,099,676/female 1,855,175)

Dependency ratios:27

total dependency ratio:45.1 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio:28.8 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio:16.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio:6.1 (2024 est.)

Median age:28

total:35.9 years (2024 est.)
male:34.5 years
female:37.4 years

Population growth rate:29

Population growth rate: 0.27 % annually (2025)

0.4% (2024 est.)

Birth rate:31

Crude birth rate: 12.86 births per 1,000 people (2024)

13.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate:33

Crude death rate: 9.86 deaths per 1,000 people (2024)

9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Net migration rate:35

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution:36

population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least-populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east

Urbanization:37

Urban population: 64.19 % of population (2025)

urban population:63.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:0.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population:39

3.158 million PYONGYANG (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio:40

at birth:1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.59 male(s)/female
total population:0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio:41

Maternal mortality ratio: 67 deaths per 100,000 live births (2023)

67 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate:43

Infant mortality rate: 13.3 deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

total:15.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male:16.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female:13.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:45

Life expectancy at birth: 73.74 years (2024)

total population:73.5 years (2024 est.)
male:70.2 years
female:77 years

Total fertility rate:47

Total fertility rate: 1.78 births per woman (2024)

1.81 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Gross reproduction rate:49

0.88 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source:50

At least basic drinking water services: 93.91 % of population (2023)

improved
urban:96.9% of population (2022 est.)
rural:88.8% of population (2022 est.)
total:93.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:3.1% of population (2022 est.)
rural:11.2% of population (2022 est.)
total:6.1% of population (2022 est.)

Physician density:52

3.63 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Sanitation facility access:53

At least basic sanitation services: 84.82 % of population (2023)

improved
urban:92.7% of population (2022 est.)
rural:73.1% of population (2022 est.)
total:85.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:7.3% of population (2022 est.)
rural:26.9% of population (2022 est.)
total:14.6% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:55

6.8% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita:56

total:3.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer:0.12 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine:0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits:3.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols:0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use:57

total:16% (2025 est.)
male:32.6% (2025 est.)
female:0% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight:58

9.3% (2017 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49):59

69.7% (2023 est.)

Child marriage:60

women married by age 15:0% (2017)
women married by age 18:0.1% (2017)
men married by age 18:0% (2017)

Education expenditure:61

14.6% national budget (2025 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):62

total:12 years (2018 est.)
male:12 years (2018 est.)
female:12 years (2018 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues:63

water pollution; inadequate potable water; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation

International environmental agreements:64

party to:Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Law of the Sea

Climate:65

temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters

Land use:66

agricultural land:21.6% (2023 est.)
arable land:19.1% (2023 est.)
permanent crops:2.1% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture:0.4% (2023 est.)
forest:64% (2023 est.)
other:14.5% (2023 est.)

Urbanization:67

urban population:63.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:0.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions:68

total emissions:55.744 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke:52.985 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids:2.759 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions:69

41.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total water withdrawal:70

municipal:902.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial:1.145 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural:6.61 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources:71

77.15 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Geoparks:72

total global geoparks and regional networks:1 (2025)
global geoparks and regional networks:Mt Paektu (2025)

Government

Country name:73

conventional long form:Democratic People's Republic of Korea
conventional short form:North Korea
local long form:Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
local short form:Choson
abbreviation:DPRK
etymology:derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the North Korean name "Choson" means "[Land of the] Morning Calm"

Government type:74

dictatorship, single-party communist state

Capital:75

name:Pyongyang
geographic coordinates:39 01 N, 125 45 E
time difference:UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
time zone note:on 5 May 2018, North Korea reverted to UTC+9, the same time zone as South Korea
etymology:the name translates as "flat land" in Korean

Administrative divisions:76

9 provinces ( do , singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities ( si , singular and plural)

provinces:Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang
special administration cities:Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason
note:P'yongyang is considered a directly controlled city; Kaesong, Nampo, and Rason are designated as special cities

Legal system:77

civil law system based on the Prussian model; influenced by Japanese traditions and Communist legal theory

Constitution:78

history:previous 1948, 1972; latest adopted 1998
amendment process:proposed by the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA); passage requires more than two-thirds majority vote of the total SPA membership

International law organization participation:79

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship:80

citizenship by birth:no
citizenship by descent only:at least one parent must be a citizen of North Korea
dual citizenship recognized:no
residency requirement for naturalization:unknown

Suffrage:81

17 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:82

chief of state:State Affairs Commission President KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011)
head of government:Supreme People's Assembly President CHOE Ryong Hae (since 11 April 2019)
cabinet:Cabinet or Naegak members appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly, except the Minister of People's Armed Forces
election/appointment process:chief of state and premier indirectly elected by the Supreme People's Assembly
most recent election date:11 April 2019
election results
election results:2019: KIM Jong Un reelected unopposed
expected date of next election:March 2024
note 1:KIM Jong Un's titles include general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (KWP), chairman of the KWP Central Military Commission, president of the State Affairs Commission, and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army
note 2:in the North Korean system, KIM Jong Un's role as chief of state is secondary to his role as general secretary of the Korean Workers' Party; chief of state is used to engage with non-communist countries such as the US; North Korea revised its constitution in 2019 to define "the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission" as "the supreme leader who represents the state"; functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive; the specific titles associated with this office have changed multiple times under KIM's tenure, but KIM Jong Un has been supreme leader since his father's death in 2011
note 3:the head of government functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials

Legislative branch:83

legislature name:Supreme People's Assembly (Choe Go In Min Hoe Ui)
legislative structure:unicameral
number of seats:687 (all directly elected)
electoral system:plurality/majority
scope of elections:full renewal
term in office:5 years
most recent election date:3/10/2019
percentage of women in chamber:17.6%
expected date of next election:December 2025
note:the SPA functions as a rubberstamp legislature; the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates

Judicial branch:84

highest court(s):Supreme Court or Central Court (consists of one judge and 2 "People's Assessors" or, for some cases, 3 judges)
judge selection and term of office:judges elected by the Supreme People's Assembly for 5-year terms
subordinate courts:lower provincial courts as determined by the Supreme People's Assembly

Political parties:85

major parties

Korean Workers' Party or KWP (formally known as Workers' Party of Korea)

General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon; under KWP control)

minor parties

Chondoist Chongu Party (under KWP control)

Social Democratic Party or KSDP (under KWP control)

Diplomatic representation in the US:86

none

note : North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:87

embassy:none; the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power

International organization participation:88

ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO

Independence:89

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

National holiday:90

Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)

Flag:91

description:three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple-width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the left side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
meaning:the red band stands for revolutionary traditions, the white for purity, strength, and dignity; blue for sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents socialism

National symbol(s):92

red star, chollima (winged horse)

National color(s):93

red, white, blue

National anthem(s):94

title:"Aegukka" (Patriotic Song)
lyrics/music:PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun
history:adopted 1947; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine)

National heritage:95

total World Heritage Sites:2 (both cultural, one mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales:Koguryo Tombs Complex; Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong; Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea (m)

Economy

Economic overview:96

one of the last centrally planned economies; hard hit by COVID-19, crop failures, international sanctions, and isolationist policies; declining growth and trade, and heavily reliant on China; poor exchange rate stability; economic data integrity issues

Real GDP (purchasing power parity):97

$15.416 billion (2023 est.)

$14.959 billion (2022 est.)

$14.982 billion (2021 est.)

note:data in 2015 dollars

Real GDP per capita:98

$600 (2023 est.)

$600 (2022 est.)

$600 (2021 est.)

note:data in 2015 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):99

$16.447 billion (2023 est.)

note:data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Agricultural products:100

maize, vegetables, rice, apples, cabbages, fruits, sweet potatoes, potatoes, beans, soybeans (2023)

note:top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries:101

military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism

Labor force:102

17.637 million (2024 est.)

note:number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate:103

2.9% (2024 est.)

2.9% (2023 est.)

2.9% (2022 est.)

note:% of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):104

total:6.8% (2024 est.)
male:6.1% (2024 est.)
female:7.4% (2024 est.)
note:% of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Exports - partners:105

China 74%, Poland 3%, Senegal 3%, Angola 3%, Austria 3% (2023)

note:top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities:106

fake hair, iron alloys, tungsten ore, electricity, cars (2023)

note:top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners:107

China 97%, Togo 1%, Peru 1%, Gabon 1%, India 0% (2023)

note:top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities:108

processed hair, plastic products, garments, fabric, soybean oil (2023)

note:top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Exchange rates:109

Currency:North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar (average market rate)

135 (2017 est.)

130 (2016 est.)

130 (2015 est.)

Energy

Electricity access:110

electrification - total population:54.7% (2022 est.)

Electricity:111

installed generating capacity:8.357 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption:22.448 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses:4.101 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources:112

fossil fuels:36.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar:0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity:62.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal:113

production:21.928 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption:22.105 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves:10.6 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum:114

refined petroleum consumption:18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita:115

Total energy consumption per capita 2023:23.83 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:116

total subscriptions:1.18 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:4 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular:117

total subscriptions:6 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:23 (2021 est.)

Broadcast media:118

no independent media; radios and TVs are pre-tuned to government stations; 4 state-owned TV stations; the Korean Workers' Party owns and operates the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, and the state-run Voice of Korea operates an external broadcast service; the government prohibits listening to and jams foreign broadcasts (2019)

Internet country code:119

.kp

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:120

P

Airports:121

81 (2025)

Heliports:122

8 (2025)

Railways:123

total:7,435 km (2014)
standard gauge:7,435 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (5,400 km electrified)
note:figures are approximate; some narrow-gauge railway also exists

Merchant marine:124

total:264 (2023)
by type:bulk carrier 10, container ship 5, general cargo 191, oil tanker 29, other 29

Ports:125

total ports:10 (2024)
large:0
medium:0
small:7
very small:3
ports with oil terminals:0
key ports:Ch'ongjin, Haeju Hang, Hungnam, Najin, Nampo, Senbong, Wonsan

Military and Security

Military and security forces:126

Korean People's Army (KPA): KPA Ground Forces, KPA Navy, KPA Air Force and Air Defense Forces, KPA Strategic Forces (missile forces), KPA Special Forces (special operations forces); Security Guard Command (aka Bodyguard Command); Military Security Command

Ministry of Social Security (formerly Ministry of Public Security): Border Guard General Bureau, civil security forces; Ministry of State Security: internal security, investigations (2024)

note 1 : North Korea employs a systematic and intentional overlap of powers and responsibilities among its multiple internal security organizations to prevent any potential subordinate consolidation of power and assure that each unit provided a check and balance on the other

note 2:Kim Jong Un is the KPA supreme commander, while operational control of the armed forces resides in the General Staff Department (GSD), which reports directly to Kim; the GSD maintains overall control of all military forces and is charged with turning Kim’s directives into operational military orders; the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is responsible for administrative control of the military and external relations with foreign militaries

note 3: the Security Guard Command protects the Kim family, other senior leadership figures, and government facilities

note 4: the North also has a large paramilitary/militia force organized into the Worker Peasant Red Guard and Red Youth Guard; these organizations are present at all levels of government (province, county, ward) and are under the control of the Korean Workers' Party in peacetime, but revert to KPA control in crisis or war; they are often mobilized for domestic projects, such as road building and agricultural support

Military expenditures:127

defense spending is a regime priority; between 2010 and 2020, military expenditures accounted for an estimated 20-30% of North Korea's GDP annually; spending estimates ranged from $7 billion to $11 billion annually; in 2024, North Korea announced that it would spend nearly 16% of state expenditures on defense; North Korea in the 2010s and 2020s has increasingly relied on illicit activities — including cybercrime — to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs to evade US and UN sanctions

Military and security service personnel strengths:128

estimates vary; as many as 1.3 million active-duty Korean People's Army (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:129

the KPA is equipped with older weapon systems originally acquired from the former Soviet Union, Russia, and China, and some domestically produced equipment; North Korea produces a diverse array of military hardware, including small arms, munitions, light armored vehicles, tanks, naval vessels and submarines, and some advanced weapons systems, such as cruise and ballistic missiles; most are copies or upgrades of older foreign supplied equipment (2024)

note:since 2006, the UN Security Council has passed nearly a dozen resolutions sanctioning North Korea for developing nuclear weapons and related activities, starting with Resolution 1718, which condemned the North's first nuclear test and placed sanctions on the supply of heavy weaponry (including tanks, armored combat vehicles, large caliber artillery, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, and missiles and missile launchers), missile technology and material, and select luxury goods; additional resolutions have expanded to include all arms, including small arms and light weapons; the US and other countries have also imposed unilateral sanctions

Military service age and obligation:130

17 years of age for compulsory military service for men and women; service obligation varies from 5-13 years; reportedly up to 10 years (7 for women) for those serving in combat units and 13 years (7 for women) for specialized combat units, such as missile forces (2024)

note:the bulk of the KPA is made up of conscripts; as many as 20% of North Korean males between the ages of 16 and 54 are in the military at a given time and possibly up to 30 percent of males between the ages of 18 and 27, not counting the reserves or paramilitary units; women comprise about 20% of the military by some estimates

Military deployments:131

estimated 10-12,000 Russia (2025)

Military - note:132

the Korean People's Army (KPA) is one of the World’s largest military forces; founded in 1948, the KPA’s primary responsibilities are national defense and protection of the Kim regime; it also provides support to domestic economic projects such as agriculture production and infrastructure construction; North Korea views South Korea and the US as its primary external threats and Russia as its closest security partner

in addition to the invasion of South Korea and the subsequent Korean War (1950-53), North Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s launched a number of military and subversive actions against South Korea; including skirmishes along the DMZ, overt attempts to assassinate South Korean leaders, kidnappings, the bombing of an airliner, and a failed effort in 1968 to foment an insurrection and conduct a guerrilla war in the South with more than 100 seaborne commandos; from the 1990s until 2010, the North lost two submarines and a semi-submersible boat attempting to insert infiltrators into the South (1996, 1998) and provoked several engagements in the Northwest Islands area along the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL), including naval skirmishes between patrol boats in 1999 and 2002, the torpedoing and sinking of a South Korean Navy corvette in 2010, and the bombardment of a South Korean military installation on Yeonpyeong Island, also in 2010; since 2010, further minor incidents continue to occur periodically along the DMZ, where both the KPA and the South Korean military maintain large numbers of troops

North Korea also has a history of provocative regional military actions and posturing that are of major concern to the international community, including: proliferation of military-related items; ballistic and cruise missile development and testing; weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs including tests of nuclear devices in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017; and large conventional armed forces (2025)

Space

Space agency/agencies:133

National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA; established 2013; re-named in 2023 from the National Aerospace Development Administration or NADA); State Space Development Bureau; Academy of National Defense Science; Ministry of People’s Armed Forces (2025)

note:the predecessor of NATA/NADA was the Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST), which was established in the 1980s

Space launch site(s):134

Sohae Satellite Launching Station (aka Tongch'ang-dong Space Launch Center; North Pyongan province); Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground (North Hamgyong province) (2025)

Space program overview:135

North Korea’s leader has emphasized the development of space capabilities, particularly satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and remote sensing satellites; manufactures satellites and rockets/SLVs; independently launches rockets/SLVs; SLV program is viewed as closely related to the country's development of intercontinental ballistic missiles; passed a national space law in 2013, and revised it in 2022 to allow for the use of space for national defense; has cooperated with Iran on space-related technologies, and signed a mutual defense treaty with Russia in 2024 that stated the two countries would “develop exchanges and joint research in science and technology, including space” (2025)

Key space-program milestones:136

1980s - initiated space program

1998 - failed first attempt to place a satellite in orbit on a 3-stage Paektusan-1 satellite launch vehicle (SLV)

2012 - successfully placed first satellite (Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 or Bright Star-3) in orbit on Unha-3 SLV (satellite failed to operate)

2016 - second satellite (Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4) placed in orbit on Unha-3 SLV (reportedly a remote sensing (RS) satellite that also failed to operate)

2023 - placed a military RS satellite (Malligyong-1) in orbit on Chollima-1 SLV

2024 - failed attempt to place a second military RS satellite in orbit on new type SLV

Transnational Issues

Trafficking in persons:137

tier rating:Tier 3 — the government of North Korea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, North Korea remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/north-korea/

Additional observations

Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate)138
3.55 % of labor force (2025)
Access to electricity139
61.4 % of population (2024)
Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption140
14.7 % (2021)
Physicians141
3.63 per 1,000 people (2017)
Adult literacy rate142
100 % of people aged 15 and over (2008)
Individuals using the Internet143
0 % of population (2004)

Historical observations

Notes & sources

  1. Background. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  2. Location. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  3. Geographic coordinates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  4. Map references. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  5. Area. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 120,540 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 120,538 square kilometers. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  6. Surface area. Surface area: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 120,540 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 120,538 square kilometers. ↩
  7. Area - comparative. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  8. Land boundaries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  9. Coastline. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  10. Maritime claims. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  11. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  12. Terrain. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  13. Elevation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  14. Natural resources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  15. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  16. Irrigated land. Reference edition; observation: 2012. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  17. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  18. Natural hazards. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  19. Geography - note. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  20. Population. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 26,571,036 people (2025). Reference: 26,298,666 people (2024). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  21. Population. Population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 26,571,036 people (2025). Reference: 26,298,666 people (2024). ↩
  22. Nationality. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  23. Ethnic groups. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  24. Languages. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  25. Religions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  26. Age structure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  27. Dependency ratios. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  28. Median age. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  29. Population growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  30. Population growth rate. Population growth rate: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  31. Birth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  32. Crude birth rate. Crude birth rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  33. Death rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  34. Crude death rate. Crude death rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  35. Net migration rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  36. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  37. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  38. Urban population. Urban population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  39. Major urban areas - population. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  40. Sex ratio. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  41. Maternal mortality ratio. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  42. Maternal mortality ratio. Maternal mortality ratio: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  43. Infant mortality rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  44. Infant mortality rate. Infant mortality rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  45. Life expectancy at birth. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  46. Life expectancy at birth. Life expectancy at birth: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  47. Total fertility rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  48. Total fertility rate. Total fertility rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  49. Gross reproduction rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  50. Drinking water source. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  51. At least basic drinking water services. At least basic drinking water services: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  52. Physician density. Reference edition; observation: 2017. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  53. Sanitation facility access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  54. At least basic sanitation services. At least basic sanitation services: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  55. Obesity - adult prevalence rate. Reference edition; observation: 2016. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  56. Alcohol consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  57. Tobacco use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  58. Children under the age of 5 years underweight. Reference edition; observation: 2017. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  59. Currently married women (ages 15-49). Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  60. Child marriage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  61. Education expenditure. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  62. School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  63. Environmental issues. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  64. International environmental agreements. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  65. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  66. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  67. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  68. Carbon dioxide emissions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  69. Particulate matter emissions. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  70. Total water withdrawal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  71. Total renewable water resources. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  72. Geoparks. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  73. Country name. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  74. Government type. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  75. Capital. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  76. Administrative divisions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  77. Legal system. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  78. Constitution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  79. International law organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  80. Citizenship. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  81. Suffrage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  82. Executive branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  83. Legislative branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  84. Judicial branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  85. Political parties. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  86. Diplomatic representation in the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  87. Diplomatic representation from the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  88. International organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  89. Independence. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  90. National holiday. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  91. Flag. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  92. National symbol(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  93. National color(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  94. National anthem(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  95. National heritage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  96. Economic overview. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  97. Real GDP (purchasing power parity). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  98. Real GDP per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  99. GDP (official exchange rate). Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  100. Agricultural products. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  101. Industries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  102. Labor force. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  103. Unemployment rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  104. Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  105. Exports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  106. Exports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  107. Imports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  108. Imports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  109. Exchange rates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  110. Electricity access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  111. Electricity. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  112. Electricity generation sources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  113. Coal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  114. Petroleum. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  115. Energy consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  116. Telephones - fixed lines. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  117. Telephones - mobile cellular. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  118. Broadcast media. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  119. Internet country code. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  120. Civil aircraft registration country code prefix. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  121. Airports. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  122. Heliports. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  123. Railways. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  124. Merchant marine. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  125. Ports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  126. Military and security forces. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  127. Military expenditures. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  128. Military and security service personnel strengths. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  129. Military equipment inventories and acquisitions. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  130. Military service age and obligation. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  131. Military deployments. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  132. Military - note. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  133. Space agency/agencies. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  134. Space launch site(s). Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  135. Space program overview. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  136. Key space-program milestones. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  137. Trafficking in persons. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  138. Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate). Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate): observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. The ILO modeled estimate is not necessarily directly comparable with national unemployment measures. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?format=json ↩
  139. Access to electricity. Access to electricity: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?format=json ↩
  140. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption: observation 2021; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Renewable energy consumption is the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS?format=json ↩
  141. Physicians. Physicians: observation 2017; checked 2026-10-29; primary source checked. World Bank World Development Indicators. Primary source checked 2026-10-29T20:24:38.792Z. provider release 2026-10-08. source organization Global Health Workforce Statistics, World Health Organization (WHO); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Country data. definition Physicians (per 1,000 people). Original provider-reported country/economy series; unchanged historical boundaries are not asserted. Checked original WDI publication and metadata, not independent corroboration. ↩
  142. Adult literacy rate. Adult literacy rate: observation 2008; checked 2026-10-29; primary source checked. World Bank World Development Indicators. Primary source checked 2026-10-29T20:24:30.110Z. provider release 2026-10-08. source organization Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), uri: https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/resources, note: The data are obtained through the UIS API. Detailed documentation is available at: https://api.uis.unesco.org/api/public/documentation/, publisher: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), type: Excel (bulk file), date accessed: 2026-03-19, date published: 2026-02. definition Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above). Original provider-reported country/economy series; unchanged historical boundaries are not asserted. Checked original WDI publication and metadata, not independent corroboration. ↩
  143. Individuals using the Internet. Individuals using the Internet: observation 2004; checked 2026-10-29; primary source checked. World Bank World Development Indicators. Primary source checked 2026-10-29T20:24:22.838Z. provider release 2026-10-08. source organization World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), uri: https://datahub.itu.int/. definition Individuals using the Internet (% of population). Original provider-reported country/economy series; unchanged historical boundaries are not asserted. Checked original WDI publication and metadata, not independent corroboration. ↩
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Countries & territories

Same-year values. Equal values share a rank.

Sources & method

Ranks cover available countries and territories, using the same indicator, source unit and reference year. Unrounded source values determine ties. Coverage is not a sovereign-country or complete global ranking; national definitions may differ. Missing values and other years are excluded. The information icon preserves the original number, unit and evidence.

RankCountry or territoryValue
Source information