Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in North Korea
North Korea: Total population (thousands), annual growth rate was 0.291 % change on previous year in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in North Korea, 1971–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total population (thousands), annual growth rate in North Korea is 0.291 % change on previous year, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 55 years on record.
That represents a change of down 8.8% on the previous year and down 40.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population (thousands), annual growth rate in North Korea peaked at 2.71 % change on previous year in 1971 and was at its lowest, 0.291 % change on previous year, in 2025.
North Korea ranks 159th of 233 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in North Korea, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 2.71 % change on previous year | — |
| 1972 | 2.56 % change on previous year | -5.7% |
| 1973 | 2.61 % change on previous year | +2.1% |
| 1974 | 2.09 % change on previous year | -19.9% |
| 1975 | 1.86 % change on previous year | -11.2% |
| 1976 | 1.72 % change on previous year | -7.6% |
| 1977 | 1.5 % change on previous year | -12.9% |
| 1978 | 1.4 % change on previous year | -6.5% |
| 1979 | 1.38 % change on previous year | -1.1% |
| 1980 | 1.41 % change on previous year | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 1.41 % change on previous year | +0.1% |
| 1982 | 1.49 % change on previous year | +5.8% |
| 1983 | 1.48 % change on previous year | -0.6% |
| 1984 | 1.48 % change on previous year | -0.5% |
| 1985 | 1.47 % change on previous year | -0.1% |
| 1986 | 1.48 % change on previous year | +0.2% |
| 1987 | 1.48 % change on previous year | +0.5% |
| 1988 | 1.48 % change on previous year | -0.6% |
| 1989 | 1.47 % change on previous year | -0.4% |
| 1990 | 1.47 % change on previous year | -0.2% |
| 1991 | 1.49 % change on previous year | +1.6% |
| 1992 | 1.51 % change on previous year | +1.1% |
| 1993 | 1.5 % change on previous year | -0.4% |
| 1994 | 1.46 % change on previous year | -2.4% |
| 1995 | 1.44 % change on previous year | -1.6% |
| 1996 | 1.02 % change on previous year | -29.1% |
| 1997 | 0.9765 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 1998 | 0.9023 % change on previous year | -7.6% |
| 1999 | 0.8353 % change on previous year | -7.4% |
| 2000 | 0.7613 % change on previous year | -8.9% |
| 2001 | 0.6716 % change on previous year | -11.8% |
| 2002 | 0.5917 % change on previous year | -11.9% |
| 2003 | 0.489 % change on previous year | -17.4% |
| 2004 | 0.7333 % change on previous year | +50.0% |
| 2005 | 0.6332 % change on previous year | -13.6% |
| 2006 | 0.5339 % change on previous year | -15.7% |
| 2007 | 0.5159 % change on previous year | -3.4% |
| 2008 | 0.4779 % change on previous year | -7.4% |
| 2009 | 0.4817 % change on previous year | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 0.4371 % change on previous year | -9.3% |
| 2011 | 0.4388 % change on previous year | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 0.4465 % change on previous year | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 0.4608 % change on previous year | +3.2% |
| 2014 | 0.4729 % change on previous year | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 0.4888 % change on previous year | +3.4% |
| 2016 | 0.4864 % change on previous year | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 0.4751 % change on previous year | -2.3% |
| 2018 | 0.4542 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 0.4247 % change on previous year | -6.5% |
| 2020 | 0.3968 % change on previous year | -6.6% |
| 2021 | 0.3615 % change on previous year | -8.9% |
| 2022 | 0.3747 % change on previous year | +3.7% |
| 2023 | 0.3596 % change on previous year | -4.0% |
| 2024 | 0.3192 % change on previous year | -11.2% |
| 2025 | 0.291 % change on previous year | -8.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.98 % change on previous year | 1.38 % change on previous year | 2.71 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 1980s | 1.46 % change on previous year | 1.41 % change on previous year | 1.49 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.26 % change on previous year | 0.8353 % change on previous year | 1.51 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.5889 % change on previous year | 0.4779 % change on previous year | 0.7613 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.4585 % change on previous year | 0.4247 % change on previous year | 0.4888 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.3504 % change on previous year | 0.291 % change on previous year | 0.3968 % change on previous year | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
- 156 Maldives 0.3625 % change on previous year compare
- 157 Guernsey 0.346 % change on previous year compare
- 158 Argentina 0.3435 % change on previous year compare
- 160 Trinidad and Tobago 0.269 % change on previous year compare
- 161 Saint Lucia 0.2457 % change on previous year compare
- 162 French Polynesia 0.2419 % change on previous year compare
More population data for North Korea
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.6538 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.81 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.6538 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5276 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 25,807 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.1188 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7483 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.656 (2100)
- Population density 162.05 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 794,407 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total population (thousands), annual growth rate in North Korea?
- Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in North Korea was 0.291 % change on previous year in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 2.71 % change on previous year in 1971.
- What is the lowest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.291 % change on previous year in 2025.
- How does North Korea rank for total population (thousands), annual growth rate?
- North Korea ranks 159th out of 233 countries with data for 2025.
- Is total population (thousands), annual growth rate rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 40.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Total population (thousands), annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Total population UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.