Background Information
North Korea is a country located in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. Governed by the authoritarian regime of the Korean Workers’ Party, North Korea is one of the most secretive and isolated countries in the world. North Korea is estimated to have a population of around 25 million people, including ethnic Chinese and Russian minorities, although the exact population figures are disputed. With an average population density of 218 people per square kilometer, North Korea is a relatively densely populated country.
Population Statistics
The population of North Korea has remained relatively stable since the early 2000s, with an average annual population growth of 0.3%. As of 2019, North Korea had a population of around 25 million, making it the 107th most populous country in the world. Approximately 60 percent of the population lives in rural areas, and the remaining 40 percent lives in urban areas, mainly in the capital Pyongyang.
The birth rate and fertility rate in North Korea have both been steadily declining since the 1990s, due mainly to economic hardships and government restrictions on family planning. Currently, the total fertility rate is 2.0 children per woman, and the crude birth rate is 13.5 births per 1,000 population.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy at birth of North Koreans is estimated to be 75.2 years, which is slightly below the average life expectancy in East Asia. This is largely attributed to the country’s limited access to medical care and poor nutrition, both of which are a result of North Korea’s economic crisis. One study estimated that life expectancy at birth in North Korea could increase by up to three years with improved nutrition and health care access.
Migration
North Korea has experienced very low rates of both internal and international migration. Internal migration is significantly restricted by the government, and international migration is discouraged due to the country’s authoritarian policy. Approximately 50,000 people have defected from North Korea since the end of the Korean War, while the total number of North Korean immigrants living in other countries has been estimated to be between 200,000 and 300,000.
Projection
A recent UN report estimated that the population of North Korea in 2022 will be approximately 26 million. This would be an increase of 1 million people (3.9%) since the country’s population in 2018. The population is expected to further increase to 28 million by 2030, and should remain relatively stable until 2050.
Geographic Distribution
The majority of the North Korean population is located in the central and eastern parts of the country. The greatest population density is in the Pyongyang province, which is home to around three million people. Other densely populated provinces include Hamgyong, where the population density is almost twice that of Pyongyang, and North Hwanghae, where the population density is slightly lower than in Pyongyang.
Demographic Profiles
The population of North Korea is composed of various ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group in North Korea is Korean, which makes up 98% of the population. Chinese and Russian minorities each account for 1% of the population, while other ethnic minority groups make up the remaining 1%.
The population of North Korea is young, with approximately 40% of the population aged 14 or below. The median age of North Koreans is estimated to be 33.7 years old, and the fertility rate is below the replacement rate.
Economic and Social Issues
The economic and social situation in North Korea has been deteriorating since the mid-1990s, leading to significant shortages of food, medical supplies, and other basic necessities. This has had a detrimental effect on the health and lifestyle of the North Korean people, with high rates of poverty, malnutrition, and disease.
The government of North Korea does not recognize any religious beliefs other than its own variant of Juche, the state ideology. Freedom of expression and access to information is also heavily restricted. As a result, North Korea is rated as one of the most authoritarian and repressive countries in the world.
Living Conditions
Living conditions in North Korea vary significantly from region to region, with living standards generally higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The largest cities such as Pyongyang and Hamhung have modern infrastructure and a higher quality of life than the rest of the country.
Access to electricity and other basic services, however, is limited in many areas, and poverty is widespread, particularly in rural areas. In these areas, food insecurity is a major problem, and the average life expectancy is significantly lower than in other parts of the world.
Education
Education is highly valued in North Korea, and the government has made it a priority to provide free primary and secondary education to all citizens. School attendance is mandatory for all children ages 5 to 15, and most children continue on to higher education after school.
However, access to education is limited in rural areas. Schools are often in need of basic supplies and textbooks, making it difficult for students to access quality education. Furthermore, higher education remains out of reach for many North Koreans due to the country’s economic hardship.
Health Care
Health care in North Korea is unreliable and often unaffordable for many citizens. Access to basic healthcare is limited, particularly in rural areas, and medical services are often over-stretched and under-resourced. As a result, the average life expectancy in North Korea is significantly lower than in other countries in the region.
The North Korean government has made some efforts to improve access to healthcare, by providing free immunization services and launching programs to address communicable diseases such as tuberculosis. However, many of these programs lack the necessary resources and funding to be successful.
International Relations
North Korea’s relationship with the international community has been strained for many decades. The country has been subject to various economic sanctions from the United Nations and other countries, largely due to its nuclear weapons program. North Korea remains isolated on the international stage, and diplomatic relations with neighboring countries remain limited.
Despite its isolation, North Korea has sought to improve relations with the international community in recent years. The country has made some progress in developing diplomatic relations with the United States and South Korea, and has taken steps towards denuclearization.
Future Trends
The future of North Korea remains uncertain, as the country struggles to address its internal and external challenges. Economic conditions are expected to remain poor, with growth largely driven by government investment in infrastructure. As a result, poverty and food insecurity are likely to remain widespread in the foreseeable future.
It is unclear how North Korea’s relationship with the international community will evolve in the future. However, the country’s recent diplomatic engagements indicate a willingness to engage with the international community on its own terms. This could lead to improved economic and political relations in the future, although there is still much to be done for North Korea to fully integrate into the global community.
