Population · Asia · 2025 data
North Korea Population
North Korea had a population of 26.57 million in 2025, ranking #56 of 216 countries and territories (0.32% of the world). The population grew by 3.9% over the past ten years.
26.57 million
Population (2025) · #56
+0.27%
Annual growth
220
People per km²
64%
Live in cities
Population of North Korea, 1960–2025
11.71960
13.21965
15.21970
17.01975
18.21980
19.61985
21.11990
22.71995
23.72000
24.42005
25.02010
25.62015
26.12020
26.62025
Values in millions · World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0)
Population by year (table)
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26,571,036 | +0.27% |
| 2024 | 26,498,823 | +0.31% |
| 2023 | 26,418,204 | +0.34% |
| 2022 | 26,328,845 | +0.37% |
| 2021 | 26,232,534 | +0.37% |
| 2020 | 26,136,312 | +0.38% |
| 2019 | 26,037,632 | +0.41% |
| 2018 | 25,931,147 | +0.44% |
| 2017 | 25,817,709 | +0.46% |
| 2016 | 25,698,326 | +0.48% |
| 2015 | 25,575,350 | +0.49% |
| 2014 | 25,451,262 | +0.48% |
| 2013 | 25,329,451 | +0.47% |
| 2012 | 25,211,728 | +0.45% |
| 2011 | 25,097,874 | +0.44% |
| 2010 | 24,987,258 | +0.44% |
| 2009 | 24,878,332 | +0.46% |
| 2008 | 24,764,618 | +0.48% |
| 2007 | 24,646,383 | +0.50% |
| 2006 | 24,524,507 | +0.52% |
| 2005 | 24,396,433 | +0.58% |
| 2004 | 24,254,943 | +0.68% |
| 2003 | 24,090,380 | +0.61% |
| 2002 | 23,943,973 | +0.54% |
| 2001 | 23,815,358 | +0.63% |
| 2000 | 23,665,910 | +0.72% |
| 1999 | 23,497,599 | +0.80% |
| 1998 | 23,311,564 | +0.87% |
| 1997 | 23,110,830 | +0.94% |
| 1996 | 22,895,746 | +1.00% |
| 1995 | 22,669,304 | +1.23% |
| 1994 | 22,393,975 | +1.45% |
| 1993 | 22,073,352 | +1.48% |
| 1992 | 21,750,911 | +1.50% |
| 1991 | 21,428,638 | +1.50% |
| 1990 | 21,112,137 | +1.48% |
| 1989 | 20,804,367 | +1.47% |
| 1988 | 20,503,161 | +1.47% |
| 1987 | 20,205,483 | +1.48% |
| 1986 | 19,910,855 | +1.48% |
| 1985 | 19,620,388 | +1.48% |
| 1984 | 19,335,043 | +1.47% |
| 1983 | 19,054,034 | +1.48% |
| 1982 | 18,776,357 | +1.49% |
| 1981 | 18,501,295 | +1.45% |
| 1980 | 18,236,786 | +1.41% |
| 1979 | 17,983,470 | +1.40% |
| 1978 | 17,735,995 | +1.39% |
| 1977 | 17,492,798 | +1.45% |
| 1976 | 17,243,450 | +1.61% |
| 1975 | 16,971,055 | +1.79% |
| 1974 | 16,673,121 | +1.97% |
| 1973 | 16,350,367 | +2.35% |
| 1972 | 15,975,069 | +2.59% |
| 1971 | 15,572,457 | +2.63% |
| 1970 | 15,172,775 | +2.74% |
| 1969 | 14,767,615 | +2.80% |
| 1968 | 14,365,596 | +2.92% |
| 1967 | 13,958,350 | +2.87% |
| 1966 | 13,569,094 | +2.65% |
| 1965 | 13,219,369 | +2.56% |
| 1964 | 12,889,770 | +2.57% |
| 1963 | 12,567,057 | +2.48% |
| 1962 | 12,262,882 | +2.27% |
| 1961 | 11,990,713 | +2.28% |
| 1960 | 11,722,953 | — |
Demographics of North Korea
73.7
Life expectancy (years)
1.78
Births per woman (below replacement)
12.7%
Aged 65 and over
36.2 years
Median age
Ethnic groups
racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese
Languages
Korean
Religions
traditionally Buddhist and Confucian, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
Where people live
Urban population: 63.2% of total population (2023).
Largest cities
1
Pyongyang Capital
3.2 millionNorth Korea and its neighbours
Frequently asked questions about the population of North Korea
What is the population of North Korea?
North Korea had a population of 26.57 million in 2025, ranking #56 of 216 countries and territories (0.32% of the world).
Is the population of North Korea growing?
Yes. The population grew by 3.9% over the past ten years. Annual growth in 2025: 0.27%.
How has the population of North Korea changed since 1960?
It has grown 2.3-fold, from 11.72 million in 1960 to 26.57 million in 2025.
How densely populated is North Korea?
About 220 people per km² of land (2024).
What is the largest city in North Korea?
Pyongyang — about 3.2 million people in its urban area, and it is also the capital.
Population and demographics: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Cities, ethnic groups, languages and religions: CIA World Factbook (public domain).