Population and Demographics of North Korea
Population changed +0.31% in 2024 · median age 36 years
The current population picture in North Korea starts with 26.5 million people and +0.31% annual change, with fertility measured at 1.8 children per woman. The 6.55-point difference between the under-15 and 65-plus shares shows how strongly the age balance leans younger. Under the UN medium scenario, the 2050 total is 25.79 million, a 2.7% decrease from 2024.
Population Over Time in North Korea
North Korea's population stood at 23.666M in 2000 and 26.499M in 2024, equivalent to a +12.0% change over that period. The central 2050 projection is 25.787M, implying a -2.7% change from 2024 if that path is realized. The chart connects dated reference points only and should not be read as an annual interpolated series.
Age Structure and Sex Balance
North Korea has a mixed demographic profile in the 2024 broad age data. At 18.95%, the under-15 group is larger than the 12.40% aged 65+, while ages 15 to 64 account for 68.65%. The age balance is weighted toward younger residents.
Population by broad age group
In the World Bank 2024 series, females account for 50.5% of North Korea's population and males 49.5%. Females exceed males by 1.0 percentage points.
Female and male population share
Females made up 50.5% of the population in the World Bank's 2024 series, compared with 49.5% males.
What Is Shaping Population Change
Two current indicators frame North Korea: +0.31% annual population change and fertility at 1.8, while the 15-to-64 share is 68.65% and the under-15 share is 18.95%.
North Korea's population path over 2000 to 2024 records +12.0% change, before a projected -2.7% shift to 2050 under the medium scenario; the page therefore distinguishes measured direction from unmeasured demographic drivers.
2024 estimate for North Korea. The world comparison value is 2.25 children per woman.
North Korea vs. World
Three same-year indicators show where North Korea differs from the world in 2024: population change is lower than the global rate, fertility is below the global figure, and median age is older than the world benchmark.
| Indicator | North Korea | World | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual population change | +0.31% | +0.87% | 2024 |
| Total fertility rate | 1.8 | 2.25 | 2024 |
| Median age | 36 | 30.6 | 2024 |
The table is built for like-for-like comparison, using 2024 values from a single harmonized source context linked to UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Key Takeaways
North Korea has 26,498,823 people in the 2024 estimate, with the population changing +0.31% over the year.
The 2024 age structure is 18.95% under 15, 68.65% aged 15 to 64 and 12.40% aged 65 or older.
The World Bank 2024 sex-share series is 50.5% female and 49.5% male.
On the medium path, 2050 reaches 25.787M, a -2.7% shift from the 2024 level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of North Korea?
The 2024 harmonized population estimate for North Korea is 26,498,823 people.
Is the population of North Korea growing or declining?
In the 2024 estimate, North Korea's population is growing, with annual change of +0.31%.
What percentage of the population of North Korea is aged 65 or older?
People aged 65 or older account for 12.40% of North Korea's 2024 population in the UN WPP-based broad age data.
What is the projected population of North Korea in 2050?
The UN World Population Prospects 2024 medium projection puts North Korea's 2050 population at 25,787,127.
What is the fertility rate in North Korea?
The 2024 harmonized fertility estimate for North Korea is 1.8 children per woman.
Sources & methodology
This profile uses United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 as the primary framework for globally comparable population, age, fertility and projection data. The World Bank is the primary source for the female population share. Some country values were accessed through secondary retrieval interfaces that republish or organize UN data; those interfaces are identified below as secondary and are not treated as the original statistical publishers.
View sources used for this page
Primary global framework for the population estimates and projections.
Harmonized 2024 country table based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized broad age shares based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized reference for the 2000 population point.
Harmonized 2050 country projection based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Used for the 2024 female share; the male share is calculated as the remainder to 100%.