North Korea Population

Population of North Korea: Past, Present, and Future

2008 Census and Recent Estimates

The Central Bureau of Statistics of North Korea conducted the most recent census in 2008, revealing that the population had reached 24 million inhabitants. However, some experts believe that this figure may be inaccurate due to the country's known tendency to manipulate statistics. According to Worldometer, the current population of North Korea as of April 20, 2024, is estimated to be 26,228,181. This figure is based on elaborations of the latest United Nations data.

Population Projections

Current projections indicate that North Korea's population will reach its peak in 2037, with an estimated population of 26.87 million. This growth is primarily attributed to a high birth rate and a steady decrease in mortality rates.

Historical Population Trends

North Korea's population has experienced significant changes over the past century. In 1961, the population was estimated to be 10.9 million, with a rapidly growing trend in the following decades. This growth was largely driven by economic recovery and improved healthcare. Apart from a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese, North Korea's population is largely homogeneous, with the vast majority being ethnic Koreans.