North Korea Population
Total mid-year population.
Population in North Korea increased to 26.57 million in 2025 from 26.50 million in 2024.
North Korea Population — History
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North Korea Population — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Population in North Korea increased to 26.57 million in 2025 from 26.50 million in 2024.
It has risen in each of the last three years.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was 26.50M, so the latest figure is 0.07M higher.
Over the past five years the average was 26.41M, with a range from 26.23M to 26.57M. The latest value is above that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1960 and has 66 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 98% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 26.57M (2025) and the lowest is 11.72M (1960). The long-run average is 20.82M.
Compared with other countries
Among 217 economies with recent data, North Korea ranks 56th from the top. The median across all these economies is 6.55M, so North Korea is above the typical country.
Within East Asia & Pacific (37 economies with data) it ranks 11th; the regional median is 1.42M.
Statistics
- Latest
- 26.57M2025
- Previous
- 26.50M
- 5-year average
- 26.41M
- Long-run average
- 20.82Msince 1960
- All-time high
- 26.57M2025
- All-time low
- 11.72M1960
- Observations
- 66Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26.57M | ▲ +0.07 |
| 2024 | 26.50M | ▲ +0.08 |
| 2023 | 26.42M | ▲ +0.09 |
| 2022 | 26.33M | ▲ +0.10 |
| 2021 | 26.23M | ▲ +0.10 |
| 2020 | 26.14M | ▲ +0.10 |
| 2019 | 26.04M | ▲ +0.11 |
| 2018 | 25.93M | ▲ +0.11 |
| 2017 | 25.82M | ▲ +0.12 |
| 2016 | 25.70M | ▲ +0.12 |
| 2015 | 25.58M | ▲ +0.12 |
| 2014 | 25.45M | ▲ +0.12 |
| 2013 | 25.33M | ▲ +0.12 |
| 2012 | 25.21M | ▲ +0.11 |
| 2011 | 25.10M | ▲ +0.11 |
| 2010 | 24.99M | ▲ +0.11 |
| 2009 | 24.88M | ▲ +0.11 |
| 2008 | 24.76M | ▲ +0.12 |
| 2007 | 24.65M | ▲ +0.12 |
| 2006 | 24.52M | ▲ +0.13 |
| 2005 | 24.40M | ▲ +0.14 |
| 2004 | 24.25M | ▲ +0.16 |
| 2003 | 24.09M | ▲ +0.15 |
| 2002 | 23.94M | ▲ +0.13 |
| 2001 | 23.82M | ▲ +0.15 |
| 2000 | 23.67M | ▲ +0.17 |
| 1999 | 23.50M | ▲ +0.19 |
| 1998 | 23.31M | ▲ +0.20 |
| 1997 | 23.11M | ▲ +0.22 |
| 1996 | 22.90M |
Population — North Korea vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). North Korea highlighted.
More North Korea indicators
Understanding Population — a simple guide
What it measures
Total mid-year population.
How it is calculated
Total residents at mid-year, from censuses and official estimates.
1,450 million means 145 crore people.
A large, growing population means a large workforce and consumer market.
A shrinking or ageing population can slow long-term growth.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Population size and growth shape labour supply, consumption and long-term growth potential.
How to read it
Compare growth rates and age structure rather than size alone.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series SP.POP.TOTL), annual data from 1960 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current population of North Korea?
What is the highest and lowest population of North Korea?
What does population measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.