Historical Population Growth Rate

North Korea's Declining Population: A Looming Crisis

Historical Population Growth Rate

North Korea's historical population growth rate has been relatively high, but it has declined steadily in recent decades. In 1980, the annual growth rate was 2.8%, but by 2023 it had fallen to just 0.5%.

Immigration and Median Age

North Korea has very low levels of immigration, and its population is aging rapidly. The median age is now 38.5 years, up from 29.1 years in 1980.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The TFR is a measure of the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime. North Korea's TFR has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, currently sitting at 1.92.

Population Density and Life Expectancy

North Korea has a high population density of 19,954 inhabitants per square kilometer. However, the country's life expectancy is relatively low, at 69.81 years.

Current Population Projections

According to current projections, North Korea's population will peak in 2037 at a population of 26.87 million people. After this, the population is expected to begin declining.

Conclusion

North Korea's declining population is a serious challenge for the country. The aging population and low TFR will result in a shortage of labor and a strain on social welfare programs. The government will need to take steps to address this issue in order to ensure a sustainable future for North Korea.