Population and Demographics

North Korea's population of approximately 23 million is one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous in the world, with very small numbers of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European expatriate minorities.

Like their Japanese neighbors, Koreans tend to equate nationality or citizenship with membership in a single, homogeneous ethnic group. A common language and culture are also important elements in Korean identity. Consciousness of homogeneity is a major reason why Koreans on both sides of the DMZ viewed their country's division as an unnatural and unnecessary tragedy.

Against the background of ethnic homogeneity, significant regional differences exist. However, regional stereotypes, like regional dialects, have been breaking down under the influence of centralised education, nationwide media, and the several decades of population movement since the Korean War.

Facts and Figures

• Population: 23,301,725
• Age Structure:
  • 0-14 years: 23.3% (male 2,758,826/female 2,679,093)
  • 15-64 years: 68.1% (male 7,852,282/female 8,024,429)
  • 65 years and over: 8.5% (male 709,599/female 1,277,496)
• Median Age:
  • Total: 32.4 years
  • Male: 30.9 years
  • Female: 33.8 years
• Population Growth Rate: 0.785%
• Birth Rate: 15.06 births/1,000 population
• Death Rate: 7.21 deaths/1,000 population
• Net Migration Rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
• Sex Ratio:
  • At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  • Under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
  • 15-64 years: 0.979 male(s)/female
  • 65 years and over: 0.555 male(s)/female
  • Total population: 0.945 male(s)/female
• Infant Mortality Rate:
  • Total: 22.56 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Male: 24.2 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Female: 20.84 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life Expectancy at Birth:
  • Total population: 71.92 years
  • Male: 69.18 years
  • Female: 74.8 years
• Total Fertility Rate: 2.05 children born/woman
• Ethnic Groups:
  • Racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese
• Religions:
  Note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom
  • Traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist
  • Some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
• Languages: Korean
• Literacy:
  • Total population: 99%
  • Male: 99%
  • Female: 99%