North Korea Population
East Asia & Pacific · 56th most populous · Low income
Population right now (estimate)
26,650,091
The population of North Korea is about 26,650,091 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 26.6 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.32% of the world's people.
North Korea is ranked 56th of 217 by population. Growth has nearly stopped: the population changes by only 0.24% a year. Projections show it peaking around 2032 at about 26.8 million, then declining. That is 2.3 times its 1960 population of 11.7 million. Population density is 221 people per square kilometre. 64% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
26.6 million
Yearly change
+0.24%
World rank
56th
Share of world
0.32%
Density
221/km²
Land area
120,410 km²
Life expectancy
73.7 yrs
Births per woman
1.78
GDP per capita
—
GDP
—
Population of North Korea, 1960–2050
North Korea population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 11,722,953 | — | 97 |
| 1970 | 15,172,775 | +2.74% | 126 |
| 1980 | 18,236,786 | +1.41% | 151 |
| 1990 | 21,112,137 | +1.48% | 175 |
| 2000 | 23,665,910 | +0.72% | 197 |
| 2010 | 24,987,258 | +0.44% | 208 |
| 2020 | 26,136,312 | +0.38% | 217 |
| 2024 | 26,498,823 | +0.31% | 220 |
| 2026proj. | 26,633,691 | +0.24% | 221 |
| 2030proj. | 26,784,904 | +0.09% | 222 |
| 2040proj. | 26,542,432 | −0.21% | 220 |
| 2050proj. | 25,787,127 | −0.36% | 214 |
North Korea vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 6.7 times as many people as North Korea. Bangladesh is 6.2 times more densely populated.
North Korea population: questions and answers
What is the population of North Korea in 2026?
About 26,633,691 (26.6 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is North Korea's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.24% a year (2026).
What is the population density of North Korea?
About 221 people per km², with a land area of 120,410 km².
What will the population of North Korea be in 2050?
About 25.8 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of North Korea?
Pyongyang.
What is the life expectancy in North Korea?
73.7 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.