Three fixed historical periods

Read the economy through three eras

Every chart uses the same labeled periods. There is no page-wide selection to remember as you move between topics.

Formation1970–1990

Integration1990–2010

Current era2010–2024

01 · Economic overview

What should a reader know first?

Latest values orient the reader; the three-era analysis below shows how the economic record developed.

Nominal GDP$17.20B2024 · Latest current-price total · World rank 137 of 210

Real GDP growth3.7%2024 · Latest constant-price annual change · Constant-price annual change

GDP per capita$6672024 · Current U.S. dollars; not PPP adjusted · Current U.S. dollars; not PPP adjusted

Share of world GDP0.0%2024 · Share of the official world total · Official world aggregate denominator

Largest broad activity37.7%2024 · Largest broad production activity · Mining, manufacturing and utilities

Manufacturing20.5%2024 · Share of total gross value added · World gap +4.8 pp

Economic overview annual rank and index table55 annual rows

Annual core economic measures, world ranks and comparable world indices. Annual rows cover the full 1970–2024 AMA record wherever the source publishes a value. World ranks run highest-to-lowest. The position index converts rank to a 0–100 scale: 100 is first and 0 is last; it is not a performance score. World comparison is either a world-equals-100 value index or a percentage-point gap, according to the measure.

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Showing 55 of 55 rows

Economic overview annual rank and index table

Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1970	$4.93B	50 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	$381	103 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	42.4 / 100	41.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	50 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.3 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1971	$5.44B	49 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.9 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	10.4%	22 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	88.1 / 100	+6.2 pp vs world	$410	104 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	41.8 / 100	41.0 (world = 100)	0.1%	49 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.9 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1972	$6.01B	51 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	71.8 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	10.4%	25 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	86.4 / 100	+5.0 pp vs world	$441	108 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	39.5 / 100	39.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	51 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	71.8 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1973	$6.63B	56 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	68.9 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	10.4%	25 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	86.4 / 100	+4.0 pp vs world	$476	115 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	35.6 / 100	35.3 (world = 100)	0.1%	56 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	68.9 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1974	$7.32B	58 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.8 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	10.4%	23 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+8.3 pp vs world	$515	122 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.6 / 100	34.4 (world = 100)	0.1%	58 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.8 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1975	$8.08B	57 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	68.4 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	10.4%	14 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.7 / 100	+9.6 pp vs world	$559	121 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	32.2 / 100	34.0 (world = 100)	0.1%	57 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	68.4 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1976	$8.41B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	4.1%	108 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	39.5 / 100	-1.1 pp vs world	$573	119 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100	32.8 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1977	$8.76B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	4.1%	93 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	48.0 / 100	-0.0 pp vs world	$588	119 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100	30.4 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1978	$9.12B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	4.1%	106 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-0.3 pp vs world	$603	123 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.1 / 100	26.8 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1979	$9.49B	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	4.1%	95 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	46.9 / 100	+0.1 pp vs world	$620	132 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.0 / 100	24.3 (world = 100)	0.1%	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1980	$9.88B	66 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	63.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	4.1%	77 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	57.1 / 100	+2.2 pp vs world	$636	134 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	24.9 / 100	22.8 (world = 100)	0.1%	66 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	63.3 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1981	$10.24B	64 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	64.4 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	3.7%	80 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	55.4 / 100	+1.7 pp vs world	$650	136 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	23.7 / 100	23.2 (world = 100)	0.1%	64 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	64.4 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1982	$12.87B	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	3.7%	51 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	71.8 / 100	+3.2 pp vs world	$805	123 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.1 / 100	29.5 (world = 100)	0.1%	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1983	$12.86B	61 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.1 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	3.7%	63 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.0 / 100	+0.9 pp vs world	$792	122 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.6 / 100	28.8 (world = 100)	0.1%	61 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.1 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1984	$12.25B	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	3.7%	95 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	46.9 / 100	-1.0 pp vs world	$744	125 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.9 / 100	26.8 (world = 100)	0.1%	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1985	$12.07B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	3.7%	80 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	55.4 / 100	+0.2 pp vs world	$723	125 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.9 / 100	25.8 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1986	$13.65B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	1.4%	131 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.6 / 100	-1.8 pp vs world	$805	129 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	27.7 / 100	25.4 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1987	$14.39B	59 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	1.4%	132 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.0 / 100	-2.2 pp vs world	$836	125 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.9 / 100	23.7 (world = 100)	0.1%	59 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1988	$14.19B	59 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	1.4%	139 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.0 / 100	-3.1 pp vs world	$764	133 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	25.4 / 100	19.7 (world = 100)	0.1%	59 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1989	$15.77B	59 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	67.4 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	1.4%	131 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.6 / 100	-2.3 pp vs world	$811	130 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	27.5 / 100	20.4 (world = 100)	0.1%	59 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	67.4 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1990	$14.70B	71 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	65.9 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	-4.3%	166 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	7.3 / 100	-7.3 pp vs world	$735	154 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	25.4 / 100	16.9 (world = 100)	0.1%	71 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	65.9 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1991	$13.69B	70 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	66.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	-4.4%	166 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	19.5 / 100	-5.6 pp vs world	$663	157 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	23.9 / 100	14.8 (world = 100)	0.1%	70 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	66.3 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1992	$12.46B	76 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	63.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-7.1%	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	-9.1 pp vs world	$593	163 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	21.0 / 100	12.6 (world = 100)	0.0%	76 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	63.4 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1993	$10.74B	82 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	60.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-4.5%	178 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	13.7 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	$503	166 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	19.5 / 100	10.6 (world = 100)	0.0%	82 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	60.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1994	$8.31B	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-2.1%	177 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	14.1 / 100	-5.4 pp vs world	$384	172 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	16.6 / 100	7.7 (world = 100)	0.0%	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1995	$4.85B	114 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	44.9 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-4.4%	190 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	7.8 / 100	-7.5 pp vs world	$222	195 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	5.4 / 100	4.1 (world = 100)	0.0%	114 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	44.9 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1996	$10.59B	86 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-3.4%	193 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	6.3 / 100	-6.9 pp vs world	$479	169 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	18.0 / 100	8.7 (world = 100)	0.0%	86 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1997	$10.32B	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-6.5%	200 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	2.9 / 100	-10.4 pp vs world	$462	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	8.6 (world = 100)	0.0%	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1998	$10.27B	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-0.9%	179 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	13.2 / 100	-3.7 pp vs world	$456	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	8.6 (world = 100)	0.0%	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1999	$10.28B	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	6.1%	46 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	78.0 / 100	+2.5 pp vs world	$452	173 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	16.1 / 100	8.4 (world = 100)	0.0%	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2000	$10.61B	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.4%	179 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	13.2 / 100	-4.0 pp vs world	$462	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	8.4 (world = 100)	0.0%	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2001	$11.02B	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	3.8%	87 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.0 / 100	+1.7 pp vs world	$476	173 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	16.1 / 100	8.8 (world = 100)	0.0%	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2002	$10.91B	92 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	55.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	1.2%	152 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	26.3 / 100	-1.0 pp vs world	$468	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	8.5 (world = 100)	0.0%	92 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	55.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2003	$11.05B	97 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	53.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	1.8%	156 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	24.4 / 100	-1.2 pp vs world	$471	177 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	14.1 / 100	7.7 (world = 100)	0.0%	97 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	53.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004	$11.17B	99 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	52.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	2.1%	170 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	17.6 / 100	-2.3 pp vs world	$473	181 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	12.2 / 100	6.9 (world = 100)	0.0%	99 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	52.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2005	$13.03B	99 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	52.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	3.8%	127 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	38.5 / 100	-0.2 pp vs world	$549	181 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	13.0 / 100	7.5 (world = 100)	0.0%	99 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	52.7 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2006	$13.76B	105 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	49.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-1.0%	200 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	3.9 / 100	-5.5 pp vs world	$577	183 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	12.1 / 100	7.4 (world = 100)	0.0%	105 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	49.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2007	$14.37B	107 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	48.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-1.2%	201 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-5.5 pp vs world	$599	186 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	10.6 / 100	6.9 (world = 100)	0.0%	107 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	48.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2008	$13.34B	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	3.1%	124 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	40.6 / 100	+1.1 pp vs world	$553	195 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	7.2 / 100	5.9 (world = 100)	0.0%	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2009	$12.04B	120 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-0.9%	119 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.5 / 100	+0.5 pp vs world	$497	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.6 (world = 100)	0.0%	120 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.1 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2010	$13.95B	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-0.5%	188 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	10.5 / 100	-4.9 pp vs world	$573	197 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	6.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2011	$15.69B	119 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.8%	175 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	16.7 / 100	-2.5 pp vs world	$642	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	6.1 (world = 100)	0.0%	119 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2012	$15.91B	123 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	1.3%	140 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	33.5 / 100	-1.4 pp vs world	$648	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	6.1 (world = 100)	0.0%	123 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2013	$16.57B	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	1.1%	155 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	26.3 / 100	-1.7 pp vs world	$672	196 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.7 / 100	6.2 (world = 100)	0.0%	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2014	$17.40B	123 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	1.0%	171 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	18.7 / 100	-2.0 pp vs world	$702	197 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	6.4 (world = 100)	0.0%	123 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2015	$16.28B	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-1.1%	192 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.6 / 100	-4.3 pp vs world	$654	195 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	7.2 / 100	6.4 (world = 100)	0.0%	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2016	$16.79B	116 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	3.9%	81 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	61.7 / 100	+1.1 pp vs world	$671	196 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.7 / 100	6.6 (world = 100)	0.0%	116 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2017	$17.36B	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-3.5%	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	-6.9 pp vs world	$691	196 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.7 / 100	6.4 (world = 100)	0.0%	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2018	$17.49B	121 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-4.1%	206 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.9 / 100	-7.4 pp vs world	$693	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	6.1 (world = 100)	0.0%	121 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2019	$16.33B	125 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.4%	177 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	15.8 / 100	-2.3 pp vs world	$644	197 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	5.7 (world = 100)	0.0%	125 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2020	$15.85B	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-4.5%	115 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.5 / 100	-1.6 pp vs world	$623	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.7 (world = 100)	0.0%	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2021	$16.75B	128 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	39.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-0.1%	193 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.1 / 100	-6.5 pp vs world	$656	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.3 (world = 100)	0.0%	128 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	39.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2022	$15.18B	136 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	35.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	-0.2%	189 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	10.0 / 100	-3.5 pp vs world	$592	201 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	4.3 / 100	4.6 (world = 100)	0.0%	136 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	35.4 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2023	$16.45B	134 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	3.1%	107 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	49.3 / 100	+0.1 pp vs world	$640	200 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	4.8 / 100	4.8 (world = 100)	0.0%	134 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2024	$17.20B	137 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	34.9 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	3.7%	80 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	62.2 / 100	+0.9 pp vs world	$667	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	4.9 (world = 100)	0.0%	137 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	34.9 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world

Calculations created by Tesseron World Observatory, data from UNSD Analysis of Main Aggregates (2026-01-28_89ede278; source updated 2026-01-28T00:00:00).

The long view

Real output, indexed to a shared starting year

Indexing allows the country and benchmark trajectories to be compared without confusing their very different economic sizes.

Created by Tesseron World Observatory; data from UN Statistics Division Analysis of Main Aggregates - 28 January 2026 data snapshot.

Democratic People's Republic of KoreaAsiaEastern AsiaWorldConstant prices · U.S. dollars · index, shared start = 100

02 · Economic size and world position

How large is the economy, and where does it sit globally?

Nominal scale, real volume and share of world output provide three distinct views of economic size.

Full historical record

Nominal GDP

Nominal scale, real volume and share of world output provide three distinct views of economic size.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea is shown against compatible UN benchmarks. The three fixed eras are labeled on the chart and summarized below.

Created by Tesseron World Observatory; data from UN Statistics Division Analysis of Main Aggregates - 28 January 2026 data snapshot.

Democratic People's Republic of KoreaEastern AsiaAsiaWorldCurrent prices · U.S. dollars

Formation1970–1990

$4.93B → $14.70B

Compound annual change: +5.6% CAGR

Integration1990–2010

$14.70B → $13.95B

Compound annual change: -0.3% CAGR

Current era2010–2024

$13.95B → $17.20B

Compound annual change: +1.5% CAGR

Nominal GDP$17.20B2024 · Published series · World rank 137 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Real GDP$16.90B2024 · Published series · World rank 129 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Share of world GDP0.0%2024 · Derived measure · World rank 137 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Economic size and world position: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices55 annual rows

Annual non-duplicative measures used in the economic size and world position section. Annual rows cover the full 1970–2024 AMA record wherever the source publishes a value. World ranks run highest-to-lowest. The position index converts rank to a 0–100 scale: 100 is first and 0 is last; it is not a performance score. World comparison is either a world-equals-100 value index or a percentage-point gap, according to the measure.

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Economic size and world position: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices

Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1970	$4.93B	50 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$8.05B	77 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	57.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.1%	50 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.3 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1971	$5.44B	49 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.9 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$8.88B	75 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	58.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.1%	49 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.9 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1972	$6.01B	51 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	71.8 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$9.81B	74 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	58.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.1%	51 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	71.8 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1973	$6.63B	56 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	68.9 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$10.83B	73 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	59.3 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.1%	56 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	68.9 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1974	$7.32B	58 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.8 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$11.95B	71 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	60.5 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	58 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.8 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1975	$8.08B	57 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	68.4 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$13.20B	69 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	61.6 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	57 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	68.4 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1976	$8.41B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$13.74B	68 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.1 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1977	$8.76B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$14.30B	69 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	61.6 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1978	$9.12B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$14.89B	67 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1979	$9.49B	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$15.50B	68 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.1 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1980	$9.88B	66 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	63.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$16.13B	67 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	66 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	63.3 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1981	$10.24B	64 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	64.4 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$16.73B	66 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	63.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	64 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	64.4 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1982	$12.87B	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$17.35B	66 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	63.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1983	$12.86B	61 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.1 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$17.99B	65 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	63.8 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	61 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.1 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1984	$12.25B	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$18.66B	66 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	63.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	62 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.5 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1985	$12.07B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$19.35B	68 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.1 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1986	$13.65B	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$19.62B	68 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.1 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	60 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	66.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1987	$14.39B	59 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$19.89B	68 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.1 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	59 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1988	$14.19B	59 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$20.17B	67 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.7 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	59 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1989	$15.77B	59 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	67.4 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$20.45B	67 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	62.9 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	59 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	67.4 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1990	$14.70B	71 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	65.9 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$19.57B	80 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	61.5 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	0.1%	71 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	65.9 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1991	$13.69B	70 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	66.3 / 100	0.1 (world = 100)	$18.71B	81 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	61.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.1%	70 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	66.3 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1992	$12.46B	76 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	63.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$17.38B	86 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	76 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	63.4 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1993	$10.74B	82 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	60.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.60B	87 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	82 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	60.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1994	$8.31B	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.25B	87 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1995	$4.85B	114 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	44.9 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$15.54B	91 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	114 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	44.9 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1996	$10.59B	86 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$15.02B	95 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	54.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	86 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1997	$10.32B	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$14.05B	98 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	52.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1998	$10.27B	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$13.92B	100 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	51.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1999	$10.28B	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$14.77B	99 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	52.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2000	$10.61B	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$14.83B	102 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	50.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	88 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2001	$11.02B	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$15.39B	101 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	51.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	90 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	56.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2002	$10.91B	92 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	55.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$15.57B	102 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	50.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	92 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	55.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2003	$11.05B	97 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	53.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$15.85B	103 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	50.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	97 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	53.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004	$11.17B	99 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	52.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.18B	103 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	50.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	99 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	52.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2005	$13.03B	99 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	52.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.79B	106 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	49.3 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	99 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	52.7 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2006	$13.76B	105 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	49.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.62B	107 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	48.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	105 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	49.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2007	$14.37B	107 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	48.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.42B	109 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	47.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	107 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	48.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2008	$13.34B	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.93B	110 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	47.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2009	$12.04B	120 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.78B	111 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	47.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	120 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.1 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2010	$13.95B	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.70B	111 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	47.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2011	$15.69B	119 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.83B	111 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	47.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	119 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2012	$15.91B	123 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$17.05B	113 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	46.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	123 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2013	$16.57B	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$17.23B	114 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.9 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2014	$17.40B	123 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$17.41B	116 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	123 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2015	$16.28B	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$17.21B	115 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2016	$16.79B	116 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$17.88B	115 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	116 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2017	$17.36B	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$17.26B	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2018	$17.49B	121 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.6 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.54B	120 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	121 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.6 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2019	$16.33B	125 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.60B	124 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	125 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2020	$15.85B	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$15.85B	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	122 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.1 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2021	$16.75B	128 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	39.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$15.84B	127 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	39.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	128 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	39.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2022	$15.18B	136 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	35.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$15.81B	127 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	39.7 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	136 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	35.4 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2023	$16.45B	134 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.30B	128 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	39.2 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	134 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2024	$17.20B	137 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	34.9 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	$16.90B	129 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	38.8 / 100	0.0 (world = 100)	0.0%	137 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	34.9 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world

Calculations created by Tesseron World Observatory, data from UNSD Analysis of Main Aggregates (2026-01-28_89ede278; source updated 2026-01-28T00:00:00).

Interpretation note

Current U.S.-dollar GDP reflects domestic prices and exchange rates as well as production. It is not PPP adjusted.

Latest common comparison

Asia$40.60T2024

Eastern Asia$25.94T2024

World$111.57T2024

03 · Output and income per person

What does the record show per person?

Current and constant-price per-person measures separate present-dollar scale from real change.

Full historical record

GDP per person

Current and constant-price per-person measures separate present-dollar scale from real change.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea is shown against compatible UN benchmarks. The three fixed eras are labeled on the chart and summarized below.

Created by Tesseron World Observatory; data from UN Statistics Division Analysis of Main Aggregates - 28 January 2026 data snapshot.

Democratic People's Republic of KoreaEastern AsiaAsiaWorldCurrent prices · U.S. dollars per person

Formation1970–1990

$381 → $735

Compound annual change: +3.3% CAGR

Integration1990–2010

$735 → $573

Compound annual change: -1.2% CAGR

Current era2010–2024

$573 → $667

Compound annual change: +1.1% CAGR

GDP per person$6672024 · Published series · World rank 198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Real GDP per person$6552024 · Published series · World rank 198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Output and income per person: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices55 annual rows

Annual non-duplicative measures used in the output and income per person section. Annual rows cover the full 1970–2024 AMA record wherever the source publishes a value. World ranks run highest-to-lowest. The position index converts rank to a 0–100 scale: 100 is first and 0 is last; it is not a performance score. World comparison is either a world-equals-100 value index or a percentage-point gap, according to the measure.

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Showing 55 of 55 rows

Output and income per person: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices

Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1970	$381	103 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	42.4 / 100	41.1 (world = 100)	$623	156 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	12.4 / 100	12.0 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1971	$410	104 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	41.8 / 100	41.0 (world = 100)	$670	155 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	13.0 / 100	12.6 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1972	$441	108 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	39.5 / 100	39.1 (world = 100)	$721	151 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	15.3 / 100	13.2 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1973	$476	115 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	35.6 / 100	35.3 (world = 100)	$777	147 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	17.5 / 100	13.6 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1974	$515	122 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.6 / 100	34.4 (world = 100)	$842	146 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	18.1 / 100	14.7 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1975	$559	121 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	32.2 / 100	34.0 (world = 100)	$913	145 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	18.6 / 100	16.1 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1976	$573	119 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100	32.8 (world = 100)	$935	145 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	18.6 / 100	16.0 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1977	$588	119 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100	30.4 (world = 100)	$960	143 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	19.8 / 100	16.0 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1978	$603	123 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.1 / 100	26.8 (world = 100)	$986	143 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	19.8 / 100	16.0 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1979	$620	132 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.0 / 100	24.3 (world = 100)	$1,012	143 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	19.8 / 100	16.1 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1980	$636	134 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	24.9 / 100	22.8 (world = 100)	$1,039	141 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	20.9 / 100	16.5 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1981	$650	136 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	23.7 / 100	23.2 (world = 100)	$1,062	139 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.0 / 100	16.9 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1982	$805	123 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.1 / 100	29.5 (world = 100)	$1,085	140 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	21.5 / 100	17.5 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1983	$792	122 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.6 / 100	28.8 (world = 100)	$1,109	140 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	21.5 / 100	17.7 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1984	$744	125 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.9 / 100	26.8 (world = 100)	$1,133	139 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.0 / 100	17.6 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1985	$723	125 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.9 / 100	25.8 (world = 100)	$1,158	139 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.0 / 100	17.7 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1986	$805	129 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	27.7 / 100	25.4 (world = 100)	$1,157	139 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.0 / 100	17.4 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1987	$836	125 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.9 / 100	23.7 (world = 100)	$1,156	139 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.0 / 100	17.1 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1988	$764	133 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	25.4 / 100	19.7 (world = 100)	$1,086	142 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	20.3 / 100	15.6 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1989	$811	130 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	27.5 / 100	20.4 (world = 100)	$1,051	143 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	20.2 / 100	14.9 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1990	$735	154 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	25.4 / 100	16.9 (world = 100)	$978	165 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	20.0 / 100	13.7 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1991	$663	157 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	23.9 / 100	14.8 (world = 100)	$906	167 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	19.0 / 100	12.7 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1992	$593	163 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	21.0 / 100	12.6 (world = 100)	$828	168 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	18.5 / 100	11.6 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1993	$503	166 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	19.5 / 100	10.6 (world = 100)	$778	170 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	17.6 / 100	10.9 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1994	$384	172 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	16.6 / 100	7.7 (world = 100)	$752	169 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	18.0 / 100	10.3 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1995	$222	195 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	5.4 / 100	4.1 (world = 100)	$712	171 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	17.1 / 100	9.6 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1996	$479	169 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	18.0 / 100	8.7 (world = 100)	$679	175 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.1 / 100	9.0 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1997	$462	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	8.6 (world = 100)	$628	183 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	11.2 / 100	8.1 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1998	$456	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	8.6 (world = 100)	$617	182 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	11.7 / 100	7.9 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1999	$452	173 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	16.1 / 100	8.4 (world = 100)	$649	182 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	11.7 / 100	8.1 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2000	$462	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	8.4 (world = 100)	$646	182 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	11.7 / 100	7.8 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2001	$476	173 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	16.1 / 100	8.8 (world = 100)	$665	183 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	11.2 / 100	8.0 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2002	$468	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	8.5 (world = 100)	$668	183 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	11.2 / 100	7.9 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2003	$471	177 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	14.1 / 100	7.7 (world = 100)	$676	183 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	11.2 / 100	7.9 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004	$473	181 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	12.2 / 100	6.9 (world = 100)	$685	184 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	10.7 / 100	7.8 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2005	$549	181 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	13.0 / 100	7.5 (world = 100)	$707	185 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	11.1 / 100	7.8 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2006	$577	183 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	12.1 / 100	7.4 (world = 100)	$696	185 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	11.1 / 100	7.5 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2007	$599	186 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	10.6 / 100	6.9 (world = 100)	$684	186 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	10.6 / 100	7.1 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2008	$553	195 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	7.2 / 100	5.9 (world = 100)	$702	189 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	10.0 / 100	7.3 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2009	$497	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.6 (world = 100)	$693	191 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	9.1 / 100	7.4 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2010	$573	197 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	6.0 (world = 100)	$686	192 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.6 / 100	7.1 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2011	$642	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	6.1 (world = 100)	$689	192 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.6 / 100	7.0 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2012	$648	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	6.1 (world = 100)	$695	192 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.6 / 100	6.9 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2013	$672	196 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.7 / 100	6.2 (world = 100)	$699	193 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.1 / 100	6.8 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2014	$702	197 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	6.4 (world = 100)	$703	193 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.1 / 100	6.8 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2015	$654	195 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	7.2 / 100	6.4 (world = 100)	$691	194 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	7.7 / 100	6.5 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2016	$671	196 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.7 / 100	6.6 (world = 100)	$715	193 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.1 / 100	6.6 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2017	$691	196 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.7 / 100	6.4 (world = 100)	$687	196 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.7 / 100	6.2 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2018	$693	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	6.1 (world = 100)	$655	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	5.8 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2019	$644	197 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	5.7 (world = 100)	$655	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.7 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2020	$623	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.7 (world = 100)	$623	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.7 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2021	$656	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.3 (world = 100)	$620	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.4 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2022	$592	201 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	4.3 / 100	4.6 (world = 100)	$617	199 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.3 / 100	5.2 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2023	$640	200 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	4.8 / 100	4.8 (world = 100)	$634	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	5.2 (world = 100)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2024	$667	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	4.9 (world = 100)	$655	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	5.3 (world = 100)

Calculations created by Tesseron World Observatory, data from UNSD Analysis of Main Aggregates (2026-01-28_89ede278; source updated 2026-01-28T00:00:00).

Interpretation note

GDP per person is an accounting average, not a measure of household income distribution or living costs.

Latest common comparison

Asia$8,4482024

Eastern Asia$15,6702024

World$13,6732024

04 · Real growth and output prices

How quickly has real activity changed, and how have output prices moved?

Real GDP growth, per-person growth and the implicit deflator answer different questions.

Full historical record

Real GDP growth

Real GDP growth, per-person growth and the implicit deflator answer different questions.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea is shown against compatible UN benchmarks. The three fixed eras are labeled on the chart and summarized below.

Created by Tesseron World Observatory; data from UN Statistics Division Analysis of Main Aggregates - 28 January 2026 data snapshot.

Democratic People's Republic of KoreaEastern AsiaAsiaWorldConstant prices · percent

Formation1970–1990

10.4% → -4.3%

Average annual rate: +4.6%

Integration1990–2010

-4.3% → -0.5%

Average annual rate: -0.9%

Current era2010–2024

-0.5% → 3.7%

Average annual rate: +0.1%

Real GDP growth3.7%2024 · Published series · World rank 80 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Real GDP-per-person growth3.4%2024 · Published series · World rank 62 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Implicit GDP deflator104.62024 · Published series · World rank 206 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Real growth and output prices: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices55 annual rows

Annual non-duplicative measures used in the real growth and output prices section. Annual rows cover the full 1970–2024 AMA record wherever the source publishes a value. World ranks run highest-to-lowest. The position index converts rank to a 0–100 scale: 100 is first and 0 is last; it is not a performance score. World comparison is either a world-equals-100 value index or a percentage-point gap, according to the measure.

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From yearTo year

Showing 55 of 55 rows

Real growth and output prices: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices

Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1970	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	1.5	119 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1971	10.4%	22 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	88.1 / 100	+6.2 pp vs world	7.6%	23 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+5.4 pp vs world	1.5	118 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.9 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1972	10.4%	25 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	86.4 / 100	+5.0 pp vs world	7.6%	23 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+4.3 pp vs world	1.5	120 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	32.8 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1973	10.4%	25 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	86.4 / 100	+4.0 pp vs world	7.9%	29 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	84.2 / 100	+3.5 pp vs world	1.5	122 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.6 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1974	10.4%	23 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+8.3 pp vs world	8.3%	21 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	88.7 / 100	+8.1 pp vs world	1.5	124 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	30.5 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1975	10.4%	14 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.7 / 100	+9.6 pp vs world	8.5%	15 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.1 / 100	+9.5 pp vs world	1.5	127 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	28.8 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1976	4.1%	108 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	39.5 / 100	-1.1 pp vs world	2.5%	101 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	43.5 / 100	-0.9 pp vs world	1.5	128 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	28.2 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1977	4.1%	93 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	48.0 / 100	-0.0 pp vs world	2.6%	85 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	52.5 / 100	+0.3 pp vs world	1.5	129 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	27.7 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1978	4.1%	106 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-0.3 pp vs world	2.7%	105 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	41.2 / 100	+0.1 pp vs world	1.5	130 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	27.1 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1979	4.1%	95 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	46.9 / 100	+0.1 pp vs world	2.7%	87 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	51.4 / 100	+0.4 pp vs world	1.5	131 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.6 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1980	4.1%	77 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	57.1 / 100	+2.2 pp vs world	2.7%	67 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	62.7 / 100	+2.5 pp vs world	1.5	132 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1981	3.7%	80 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	55.4 / 100	+1.7 pp vs world	2.2%	72 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	59.9 / 100	+2.1 pp vs world	1.5	134 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	24.9 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1982	3.7%	51 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	71.8 / 100	+3.2 pp vs world	2.2%	52 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	71.2 / 100	+3.6 pp vs world	1.5	135 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	24.3 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1983	3.7%	63 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.0 / 100	+0.9 pp vs world	2.2%	63 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.0 / 100	+1.2 pp vs world	1.5	135 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	24.3 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1984	3.7%	95 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	46.9 / 100	-1.0 pp vs world	2.2%	86 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	52.0 / 100	-0.6 pp vs world	1.5	139 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1985	3.7%	80 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	55.4 / 100	+0.2 pp vs world	2.2%	83 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	53.7 / 100	+0.5 pp vs world	1.5	143 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	19.8 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1986	1.4%	131 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.6 / 100	-1.8 pp vs world	-0.1%	118 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.9 / 100	-1.4 pp vs world	1.5	143 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	19.8 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1987	1.4%	132 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.0 / 100	-2.2 pp vs world	-0.1%	122 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.6 / 100	-1.8 pp vs world	1.5	145 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	18.6 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1988	1.4%	139 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.0 / 100	-3.1 pp vs world	-6.1%	167 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	-8.7 pp vs world	1.4	150 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	15.8 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1989	1.4%	131 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	26.6 / 100	-2.3 pp vs world	-3.1%	152 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	14.7 / 100	-5.0 pp vs world	1.6	154 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	14.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1990	-4.3%	166 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	7.3 / 100	-7.3 pp vs world	-7.0%	169 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	5.6 / 100	-8.2 pp vs world	1.5	165 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	20.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1991	-4.4%	166 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	19.5 / 100	-5.6 pp vs world	-7.4%	172 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	16.6 / 100	-6.9 pp vs world	1.5	168 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	18.5 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1992	-7.1%	174 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.6 / 100	-9.1 pp vs world	-8.6%	179 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	13.2 / 100	-9.1 pp vs world	1.4	175 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	15.1 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1993	-4.5%	178 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	13.7 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	-6.0%	182 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	11.7 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	1.3	181 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	12.2 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1994	-2.1%	177 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	14.1 / 100	-5.4 pp vs world	-3.3%	173 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	16.1 / 100	-5.0 pp vs world	1.0	191 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	7.3 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1995	-4.4%	190 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	7.8 / 100	-7.5 pp vs world	-5.3%	190 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	7.8 / 100	-6.9 pp vs world	0.6	198 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	3.9 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1996	-3.4%	193 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	6.3 / 100	-6.9 pp vs world	-4.6%	194 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	5.9 / 100	-6.7 pp vs world	1.4	199 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1997	-6.5%	200 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	2.9 / 100	-10.4 pp vs world	-7.5%	198 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	3.9 / 100	-9.9 pp vs world	1.5	201 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	2.4 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1998	-0.9%	179 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	13.2 / 100	-3.7 pp vs world	-1.8%	176 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	14.6 / 100	-3.2 pp vs world	1.5	201 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	2.4 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1999	6.1%	46 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	78.0 / 100	+2.5 pp vs world	5.1%	41 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	80.5 / 100	+3.0 pp vs world	1.4	202 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	2.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2000	0.4%	179 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	13.2 / 100	-4.0 pp vs world	-0.5%	168 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	18.5 / 100	-3.6 pp vs world	1.4	203 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.5 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2001	3.8%	87 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.0 / 100	+1.7 pp vs world	2.9%	67 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	67.8 / 100	+2.2 pp vs world	1.4	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2002	1.2%	152 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	26.3 / 100	-1.0 pp vs world	0.5%	137 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	33.7 / 100	-0.4 pp vs world	98.2	3 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	99.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2003	1.8%	156 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	24.4 / 100	-1.2 pp vs world	1.2%	137 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	33.7 / 100	-0.5 pp vs world	97.7	3 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	99.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004	2.1%	170 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	17.6 / 100	-2.3 pp vs world	1.4%	156 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	24.4 / 100	-1.6 pp vs world	96.7	3 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	99.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2005	3.8%	127 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	38.5 / 100	-0.2 pp vs world	3.2%	106 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	48.8 / 100	+0.5 pp vs world	100.3	4 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	98.6 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2006	-1.0%	200 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	3.9 / 100	-5.5 pp vs world	-1.5%	194 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	6.8 / 100	-4.7 pp vs world	109.4	3 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	99.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2007	-1.2%	201 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-5.5 pp vs world	-1.7%	196 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	5.8 / 100	-4.7 pp vs world	113.8	3 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	99.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2008	3.1%	124 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	40.6 / 100	+1.1 pp vs world	2.6%	97 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	53.6 / 100	+1.9 pp vs world	102.3	14 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	93.8 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2009	-0.9%	119 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.5 / 100	+0.5 pp vs world	-1.4%	106 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	49.8 / 100	+1.3 pp vs world	93.2	24 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	89.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2010	-0.5%	188 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	10.5 / 100	-4.9 pp vs world	-0.9%	183 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	12.9 / 100	-4.0 pp vs world	78.7	104 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	50.7 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2011	0.8%	175 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	16.7 / 100	-2.5 pp vs world	0.4%	158 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	24.9 / 100	-1.6 pp vs world	84.0	99 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	53.1 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2012	1.3%	140 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	33.5 / 100	-1.4 pp vs world	0.9%	130 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	38.3 / 100	-0.6 pp vs world	87.4	83 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	60.8 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2013	1.1%	155 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	26.3 / 100	-1.7 pp vs world	0.6%	140 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	33.5 / 100	-0.9 pp vs world	88.9	89 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	57.9 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2014	1.0%	171 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	18.7 / 100	-2.0 pp vs world	0.6%	156 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	25.8 / 100	-1.3 pp vs world	92.2	77 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	63.6 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2015	-1.1%	192 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.6 / 100	-4.3 pp vs world	-1.6%	182 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	13.4 / 100	-3.5 pp vs world	95.1	54 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	74.6 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2016	3.9%	81 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	61.7 / 100	+1.1 pp vs world	3.4%	62 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	70.8 / 100	+1.8 pp vs world	94.5	70 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	67.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2017	-3.5%	198 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	5.7 / 100	-6.9 pp vs world	-3.9%	192 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.6 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	101.3	21 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.4 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2018	-4.1%	206 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.9 / 100	-7.4 pp vs world	-4.6%	204 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	2.9 / 100	-6.7 pp vs world	103.7	27 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2019	0.4%	177 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	15.8 / 100	-2.3 pp vs world	-0.1%	163 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	22.5 / 100	-1.6 pp vs world	98.9	80 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	62.2 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2020	-4.5%	115 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.5 / 100	-1.6 pp vs world	-4.9%	104 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	50.7 / 100	-1.0 pp vs world	100.0	1 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	100.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2021	-0.1%	193 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	8.1 / 100	-6.5 pp vs world	-0.4%	182 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	13.4 / 100	-5.9 pp vs world	105.7	89 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	57.9 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2022	-0.2%	189 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	10.0 / 100	-3.5 pp vs world	-0.5%	182 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	13.4 / 100	-3.0 pp vs world	97.3	208 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2023	3.1%	107 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	49.3 / 100	+0.1 pp vs world	2.7%	81 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	61.7 / 100	+0.7 pp vs world	103.7	205 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	2.4 / 100
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2024	3.7%	80 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	62.2 / 100	+0.9 pp vs world	3.4%	62 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	70.8 / 100	+1.4 pp vs world	104.6	206 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.9 / 100

Calculations created by Tesseron World Observatory, data from UNSD Analysis of Main Aggregates (2026-01-28_89ede278; source updated 2026-01-28T00:00:00).

Interpretation note

The implicit GDP deflator covers domestically produced output and is not a consumer price index. Annual growth can be volatile.

Latest common comparison

Asia3.9%2024

Eastern Asia3.7%2024

World2.8%2024

05 · Consumption and domestic demand

How is output used for consumption and domestic demand?

Household and government consumption sit inside final consumption; domestic demand also includes capital formation.

Full historical record

Final Consumption

Household and government consumption sit inside final consumption; domestic demand also includes capital formation.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea is shown against compatible UN benchmarks. The three fixed eras are labeled on the chart and summarized below.

Created by Tesseron World Observatory; data from UN Statistics Division Analysis of Main Aggregates - 28 January 2026 data snapshot.

Democratic People's Republic of KoreaEastern AsiaAsiaWorldCurrent prices · national currency · percent

Formation1970–1990

102.9% → 104.3%

Percentage-point change: +1.4 pp

Integration1990–2010

104.3% → 105.2%

Percentage-point change: +0.9 pp

Current era2010–2024

105.2% → 105.3%

Percentage-point change: +0.0 pp

Final consumption105.3%2024 · Published series · World rank 33 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Household consumptionUnavailableNo year · Derived measure · World rank not calculable without a source observation

Government consumptionUnavailableNo year · Derived measure · World rank not calculable without a source observation

Domestic demandUnavailableNo year · Derived measure · World rank not calculable without a source observation

Consumption and domestic demand: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices55 annual rows

Annual non-duplicative measures used in the consumption and domestic demand section. Annual rows cover the full 1970–2024 AMA record wherever the source publishes a value. World ranks run highest-to-lowest. The position index converts rank to a 0–100 scale: 100 is first and 0 is last; it is not a performance score. World comparison is either a world-equals-100 value index or a percentage-point gap, according to the measure.

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From yearTo year

Showing 55 of 55 rows

Consumption and domestic demand: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices

Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1970	102.9%	18 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	90.4 / 100	+30.2 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1971	102.9%	15 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.1 / 100	+29.9 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1972	102.9%	17 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.0 / 100	+30.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1973	102.9%	17 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.0 / 100	+31.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1974	102.9%	20 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	89.3 / 100	+31.2 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1975	102.9%	23 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+29.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1976	102.9%	16 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.5 / 100	+30.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1977	102.9%	21 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	88.7 / 100	+30.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1978	102.9%	23 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+30.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1979	102.9%	25 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	86.4 / 100	+30.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1980	102.9%	27 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	85.3 / 100	+29.8 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1981	102.9%	27 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	85.3 / 100	+29.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1982	102.9%	26 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	85.9 / 100	+28.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1983	102.9%	22 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	88.1 / 100	+27.9 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1984	102.9%	19 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+28.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1985	102.9%	25 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	86.4 / 100	+28.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1986	103.0%	19 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+27.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1987	104.5%	18 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	90.4 / 100	+29.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1988	105.7%	16 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.5 / 100	+31.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1989	104.5%	19 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	89.9 / 100	+30.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1990	104.3%	21 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	90.2 / 100	+29.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1991	103.5%	24 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	88.8 / 100	+28.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1992	103.3%	27 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	87.3 / 100	+28.1 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1993	103.0%	26 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	87.8 / 100	+27.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1994	102.8%	27 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	87.3 / 100	+27.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1995	101.9%	27 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	87.3 / 100	+27.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1996	102.7%	25 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	88.3 / 100	+27.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1997	102.5%	21 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	90.2 / 100	+27.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1998	104.2%	22 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+28.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1999	103.9%	22 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+28.1 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2000	105.8%	21 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	90.2 / 100	+30.2 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2001	106.5%	18 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	91.7 / 100	+30.1 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2002	105.2%	22 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+28.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2003	105.3%	21 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	90.2 / 100	+28.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004	104.8%	22 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+29.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2005	105.1%	22 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	89.9 / 100	+29.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2006	105.5%	27 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	87.4 / 100	+31.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2007	105.2%	23 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	89.4 / 100	+31.2 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2008	105.3%	27 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+31.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2009	105.3%	24 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	89.0 / 100	+29.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2010	105.2%	21 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.4 / 100	+30.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2011	105.3%	22 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.0 / 100	+31.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2012	105.3%	27 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+31.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2013	105.3%	25 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	88.5 / 100	+31.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2014	105.3%	19 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	91.4 / 100	+31.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2015	105.3%	20 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+31.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2016	105.3%	17 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	92.3 / 100	+31.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2017	105.3%	17 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	92.3 / 100	+31.9 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2018	105.3%	21 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.4 / 100	+32.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2019	105.3%	23 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	89.5 / 100	+32.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2020	105.3%	27 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+32.1 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2021	105.3%	26 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	88.0 / 100	+33.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2022	105.3%	24 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	89.0 / 100	+33.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2023	105.3%	26 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	88.0 / 100	+32.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2024	105.3%	33 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	84.7 / 100	+32.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable

Calculations created by Tesseron World Observatory, data from UNSD Analysis of Main Aggregates (2026-01-28_89ede278; source updated 2026-01-28T00:00:00).

Interpretation note

Parent aggregates and their components should not be added together. Shares describe composition, not the quality of spending.

Latest common comparison

Asia63.9%2024

Eastern Asia60.7%2024

World73.2%2024

06 · Investment and capital formation

How much current output is directed toward capital formation?

Gross capital formation combines fixed investment and inventory change as shares of GDP.

Full historical record

Gross Capital Formation

Gross capital formation combines fixed investment and inventory change as shares of GDP.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea is shown against compatible UN benchmarks. The three fixed eras are labeled on the chart and summarized below.

Created by Tesseron World Observatory; data from UN Statistics Division Analysis of Main Aggregates - 28 January 2026 data snapshot.

Democratic People's Republic of KoreaEastern AsiaAsiaWorldCurrent prices · U.S. dollars · percent

Formation1970–1990

Unavailable

Change: Unavailable

Integration1990–2010

Unavailable

Change: Unavailable

Current era2010–2024

Unavailable

Change: Unavailable

Gross capital formationUnavailableNo year · Derived measure · World rank not calculable without a source observation

Gross fixed capital formationUnavailableNo year · Derived measure · World rank not calculable without a source observation

Changes in inventoriesUnavailableNo year · Derived measure · World rank not calculable without a source observation

Interpretation note

A larger investment share is not automatically better; depreciation, utilization and project quality are outside this accounting measure.

07 · Trade structure and external balance

How exposed is the economy to trade, and what is the external balance?

Exports, imports, openness and net exports distinguish exposure from surplus or deficit.

Full historical record

Trade openness

Exports, imports, openness and net exports distinguish exposure from surplus or deficit.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea is shown against compatible UN benchmarks. The three fixed eras are labeled on the chart and summarized below.

Created by Tesseron World Observatory; data from UN Statistics Division Analysis of Main Aggregates - 28 January 2026 data snapshot.

Democratic People's Republic of KoreaEastern AsiaAsiaWorldCurrent prices · percent

Formation1970–1990

13.7% → 19.3%

Percentage-point change: +5.6 pp

Integration1990–2010

19.3% → 17.0%

Percentage-point change: -2.3 pp

Current era2010–2024

17.0% → 17.0%

Percentage-point change: -0.0 pp

Exports5.9%2024 · Published series · World rank 206 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Imports11.1%2024 · Published series · World rank 209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Net exports-5.3%2024 · Derived measure · World rank 120 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Trade openness17.0%2024 · Derived measure · World rank 209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Trade structure and external balance: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices55 annual rows

Annual non-duplicative measures used in the trade structure and external balance section. Annual rows cover the full 1970–2024 AMA record wherever the source publishes a value. World ranks run highest-to-lowest. The position index converts rank to a 0–100 scale: 100 is first and 0 is last; it is not a performance score. World comparison is either a world-equals-100 value index or a percentage-point gap, according to the measure.

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Trade structure and external balance: annual rates, ranks and comparison indices

Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1970	5.4%	168 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.6 / 100	-5.9 pp vs world	8.3%	169 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.1 / 100	-3.0 pp vs world	-2.9%	96 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	46.3 / 100	-2.9 pp vs world	13.7%	169 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.1 / 100	-8.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1971	5.4%	167 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	-6.1 pp vs world	8.3%	168 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.6 / 100	-3.1 pp vs world	-2.9%	89 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	50.3 / 100	-3.0 pp vs world	13.7%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-9.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1972	5.4%	167 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	6.2 / 100	-6.4 pp vs world	8.3%	168 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.6 / 100	-3.3 pp vs world	-2.9%	94 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	47.5 / 100	-3.1 pp vs world	13.7%	168 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.6 / 100	-9.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1973	5.4%	171 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.0 / 100	-7.8 pp vs world	8.3%	171 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.0 / 100	-4.7 pp vs world	-2.9%	99 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	44.6 / 100	-3.2 pp vs world	13.7%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-12.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1974	5.4%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-10.7 pp vs world	8.3%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-7.8 pp vs world	-2.9%	83 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	53.7 / 100	-2.9 pp vs world	13.7%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-18.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1975	5.4%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-9.9 pp vs world	8.3%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-6.9 pp vs world	-2.9%	73 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	59.3 / 100	-3.0 pp vs world	13.7%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-16.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1976	5.4%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-10.3 pp vs world	8.3%	171 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.0 / 100	-7.5 pp vs world	-2.9%	84 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	53.1 / 100	-2.8 pp vs world	13.7%	173 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.8 / 100	-17.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1977	5.4%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-10.4 pp vs world	8.3%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-7.8 pp vs world	-2.9%	85 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	52.5 / 100	-2.6 pp vs world	13.7%	173 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.8 / 100	-18.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1978	5.4%	171 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.0 / 100	-10.1 pp vs world	8.3%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-7.5 pp vs world	-2.9%	80 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	55.4 / 100	-2.7 pp vs world	13.7%	173 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.8 / 100	-17.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1979	5.4%	173 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.8 / 100	-11.5 pp vs world	8.3%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-8.8 pp vs world	-2.9%	84 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	53.1 / 100	-2.7 pp vs world	13.7%	174 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.3 / 100	-20.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1980	5.4%	171 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.0 / 100	-12.9 pp vs world	8.3%	174 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.3 / 100	-10.3 pp vs world	-2.9%	69 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	61.6 / 100	-2.6 pp vs world	13.7%	175 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	1.7 / 100	-23.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1981	5.4%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-12.6 pp vs world	8.3%	176 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	1.1 / 100	-10.1 pp vs world	-2.9%	63 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	65.0 / 100	-2.6 pp vs world	13.7%	176 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	1.1 / 100	-22.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1982	5.4%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-11.6 pp vs world	8.3%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-9.1 pp vs world	-2.9%	74 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	58.8 / 100	-2.5 pp vs world	13.7%	176 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	1.1 / 100	-20.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1983	5.4%	174 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.3 / 100	-11.1 pp vs world	8.3%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-8.5 pp vs world	-2.9%	82 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	54.2 / 100	-2.6 pp vs world	13.7%	175 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	1.7 / 100	-19.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1984	5.4%	173 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.8 / 100	-11.5 pp vs world	8.3%	171 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.0 / 100	-8.8 pp vs world	-2.9%	90 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	49.7 / 100	-2.7 pp vs world	13.7%	173 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.8 / 100	-20.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1985	5.4%	171 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.0 / 100	-11.1 pp vs world	8.3%	173 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.8 / 100	-8.4 pp vs world	-2.9%	90 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	49.7 / 100	-2.7 pp vs world	13.7%	174 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	2.3 / 100	-19.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1986	5.5%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-10.4 pp vs world	8.5%	170 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-7.6 pp vs world	-3.0%	97 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	45.8 / 100	-2.8 pp vs world	13.9%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-18.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1987	6.0%	171 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	4.0 / 100	-10.5 pp vs world	10.5%	169 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.1 / 100	-6.1 pp vs world	-4.5%	106 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-4.4 pp vs world	16.6%	172 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-16.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1988	7.5%	168 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.6 / 100	-9.5 pp vs world	13.2%	166 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	6.8 / 100	-4.0 pp vs world	-5.7%	112 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	37.3 / 100	-5.5 pp vs world	20.7%	168 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	5.6 / 100	-13.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1989	6.2%	173 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-11.2 pp vs world	10.8%	171 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	4.5 / 100	-7.0 pp vs world	-4.5%	103 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	42.7 / 100	-4.2 pp vs world	17.0%	174 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	2.8 / 100	-18.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1990	7.5%	196 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	4.9 / 100	-11.5 pp vs world	11.8%	195 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	5.4 / 100	-7.4 pp vs world	-4.3%	112 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	45.9 / 100	-4.1 pp vs world	19.3%	199 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	3.4 / 100	-18.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1991	8.6%	191 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	7.3 / 100	-10.0 pp vs world	12.1%	196 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	4.9 / 100	-6.6 pp vs world	-3.5%	108 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	47.8 / 100	-3.4 pp vs world	20.6%	195 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	5.4 / 100	-16.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1992	4.8%	202 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	2.0 / 100	-15.0 pp vs world	8.1%	201 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	2.4 / 100	-11.3 pp vs world	-3.3%	101 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	51.2 / 100	-3.7 pp vs world	12.9%	202 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	2.0 / 100	-26.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1993	5.0%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-13.8 pp vs world	8.0%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-10.3 pp vs world	-3.0%	96 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	53.7 / 100	-3.5 pp vs world	13.0%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-24.1 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1994	4.8%	203 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.5 / 100	-14.6 pp vs world	7.6%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-11.3 pp vs world	-2.8%	102 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	50.7 / 100	-3.3 pp vs world	12.5%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-26.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1995	3.8%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-16.9 pp vs world	5.7%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-14.4 pp vs world	-1.9%	85 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	59.0 / 100	-2.4 pp vs world	9.5%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-31.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1996	4.0%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-17.1 pp vs world	6.6%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-14.0 pp vs world	-2.7%	94 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	54.6 / 100	-3.1 pp vs world	10.6%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-31.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1997	5.8%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-16.2 pp vs world	8.3%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-13.2 pp vs world	-2.5%	89 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.1 / 100	-3.1 pp vs world	14.1%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-29.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1998	5.1%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-16.7 pp vs world	9.3%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-12.2 pp vs world	-4.2%	93 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	55.1 / 100	-4.5 pp vs world	14.4%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-28.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1999	3.8%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-18.1 pp vs world	7.7%	206 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-13.9 pp vs world	-3.9%	100 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	51.7 / 100	-4.1 pp vs world	11.4%	206 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-32.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2000	4.2%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-19.3 pp vs world	10.0%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-13.4 pp vs world	-5.8%	121 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	41.5 / 100	-6.0 pp vs world	14.2%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-32.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2001	5.3%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-17.7 pp vs world	11.8%	204 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-11.2 pp vs world	-6.5%	121 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	41.5 / 100	-6.5 pp vs world	17.0%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-28.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2002	5.9%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-17.3 pp vs world	11.1%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-11.9 pp vs world	-5.2%	114 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	44.9 / 100	-5.4 pp vs world	17.1%	206 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-29.1 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2003	5.8%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-18.1 pp vs world	11.1%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-12.6 pp vs world	-5.3%	114 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	44.9 / 100	-5.5 pp vs world	16.9%	206 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-30.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004	6.1%	203 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	1.5 / 100	-19.6 pp vs world	11.0%	205 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-14.5 pp vs world	-4.8%	105 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	49.3 / 100	-5.1 pp vs world	17.1%	206 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-34.1 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2005	6.0%	207 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-21.1 pp vs world	11.1%	208 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-15.5 pp vs world	-5.1%	105 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	49.8 / 100	-5.5 pp vs world	17.0%	208 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-36.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2006	5.7%	208 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-23.0 pp vs world	11.2%	208 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-16.8 pp vs world	-5.5%	112 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	46.4 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	17.0%	208 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-39.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2007	5.9%	208 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-23.6 pp vs world	11.1%	208 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-17.8 pp vs world	-5.2%	101 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	51.7 / 100	-5.9 pp vs world	17.0%	208 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-41.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2008	5.9%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-25.1 pp vs world	11.1%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-19.1 pp vs world	-5.3%	100 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	52.6 / 100	-6.0 pp vs world	17.0%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-44.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2009	5.8%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-20.4 pp vs world	11.2%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-14.4 pp vs world	-5.3%	103 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	51.2 / 100	-6.0 pp vs world	17.0%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-34.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2010	5.9%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-22.7 pp vs world	11.1%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-16.5 pp vs world	-5.2%	108 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	48.8 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	17.0%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-39.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2011	5.9%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-24.5 pp vs world	11.1%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-18.3 pp vs world	-5.3%	111 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	47.4 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	17.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-42.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2012	5.9%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-24.3 pp vs world	11.1%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-18.0 pp vs world	-5.3%	111 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	47.4 / 100	-6.3 pp vs world	17.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-42.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2013	5.9%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-24.2 pp vs world	11.1%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-18.0 pp vs world	-5.3%	112 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	46.9 / 100	-6.3 pp vs world	17.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-42.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2014	5.9%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-23.9 pp vs world	11.1%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-17.8 pp vs world	-5.3%	116 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.0 / 100	-6.1 pp vs world	17.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-41.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2015	5.9%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-22.2 pp vs world	11.1%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-16.4 pp vs world	-5.3%	115 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.5 / 100	-5.9 pp vs world	17.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-38.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2016	5.9%	207 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.4 / 100	-21.3 pp vs world	11.1%	208 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-15.3 pp vs world	-5.3%	119 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.5 / 100	-6.1 pp vs world	17.0%	208 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-36.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2017	5.9%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-22.2 pp vs world	11.1%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-16.2 pp vs world	-5.3%	125 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-6.0 pp vs world	17.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-38.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2018	5.9%	208 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-23.2 pp vs world	11.1%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-17.1 pp vs world	-5.3%	125 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-6.1 pp vs world	17.0%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-40.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2019	5.9%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-22.3 pp vs world	11.1%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-16.4 pp vs world	-5.3%	120 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.1 / 100	-5.9 pp vs world	17.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-38.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2020	5.9%	207 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.4 / 100	-20.2 pp vs world	11.1%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-14.3 pp vs world	-5.3%	112 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	46.9 / 100	-6.0 pp vs world	17.0%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-34.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2021	5.9%	204 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	2.9 / 100	-22.8 pp vs world	11.1%	207 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.4 / 100	-16.5 pp vs world	-5.3%	115 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.5 / 100	-6.3 pp vs world	17.0%	208 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-39.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2022	5.9%	208 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-25.0 pp vs world	11.1%	208 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-19.0 pp vs world	-5.3%	116 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.0 / 100	-6.1 pp vs world	17.0%	208 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.0 / 100	-44.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2023	5.9%	207 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.4 / 100	-23.2 pp vs world	11.1%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-17.2 pp vs world	-5.3%	124 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.1 / 100	-6.0 pp vs world	17.0%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-40.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2024	5.9%	206 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	1.9 / 100	-23.1 pp vs world	11.1%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-17.0 pp vs world	-5.3%	120 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	43.1 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	17.0%	209 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.5 / 100	-40.1 pp vs world

Calculations created by Tesseron World Observatory, data from UNSD Analysis of Main Aggregates (2026-01-28_89ede278; source updated 2026-01-28T00:00:00).

Interpretation note

Trade openness is exports plus imports relative to GDP. Imports are positive in the source but subtracted in the expenditure identity.

Latest common comparison

Asia60.3%2024

Eastern Asia49.8%2024

World57.1%2024

08 · Industry mix and structural change

Which activities produce value, and how is the mix changing?

Six mutually exclusive activities show the production structure. Manufacturing remains nested inside its parent activity.

Full historical record

Structural change across six activities

Mining, manufacturing and utilities is the largest current activity at 37.7%. Each activity shows change separately for 1970–1990, 1990–2010, and 2010–current.

AMA activity values measure gross value added, not sales, revenue, shipments, gross output, or physical production.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing20.9%

1970–1990-0.8 pp1990–2010-6.6 pp2010–2024+0.1 pp

World specialization: 4.91×

Mining, manufacturing and utilities37.7%

1970–1990+5.5 pp1990–2010-5.7 pp2010–2024-2.5 pp

World specialization: 1.78×

Construction11.6%

1970–1990+0.5 pp1990–2010-0.6 pp2010–2024+3.6 pp

World specialization: 2.01×

Trade, restaurants and hotels0.2%

1970–1990Unavailable1990–2010Unavailable2010–2024-0.3 pp

World specialization: 0.01×

Transport, storage and communication1.2%

1970–1990Unavailable1990–2010Unavailable2010–2024-1.1 pp

World specialization: 0.12×

Other activities28.4%

1970–1990-5.2 pp1990–2010+12.9 pp2010–2024-2.5 pp

World specialization: 0.64×

Industry composition and economic scale

The 100% area view isolates changes in production mix. The current-dollar area view combines those shares with nominal GDP so the total height also shows the expansion or contraction of the economy.

Created by Tesseron World Observatory; data from UN Statistics Division Analysis of Main Aggregates - 28 January 2026 data snapshot.

Agriculture, forestry and fishingMining, manufacturing and utilitiesConstructionTrade, restaurants and hotelsTransport, storage and communicationOther activitiesShare of total gross value added

Formation1970–1990

40.3% → 45.9%

Percentage-point change: +5.5 pp

Integration1990–2010

45.9% → 40.2%

Percentage-point change: -5.7 pp

Current era2010–2024

40.2% → 37.7%

Percentage-point change: -2.5 pp

How to read specialization

World specialization compares an activity's share of this country's gross value added with that activity's share of world gross value added. A result of 1.00× means the shares match; above 1.00× means the activity is relatively more prominent locally, while below 1.00× means it is relatively less prominent. It describes economic structure, not productivity or competitiveness.

Current specialization against world

Agriculture, forestry and fishing4.91×

Mining, manufacturing and utilities1.78×

Construction2.01×

Trade, restaurants and hotels0.01×

Transport, storage and communication0.12×

Other activities0.64×

Industry mix, specialization and world comparison table55 annual rows

Annual shares for the six mutually exclusive broad industries, with world comparisons and ranks wherever comparable data exist. Annual rows cover the full 1970–2024 AMA record wherever the source publishes a value. World ranks run highest-to-lowest. The position index converts rank to a 0–100 scale: 100 is first and 0 is last; it is not a performance score. World comparison is either a world-equals-100 value index or a percentage-point gap, according to the measure.

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Industry mix, specialization and world comparison table

Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1970	28.3%	46 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	74.3 / 100	+18.8 pp vs world	40.3%	16 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.5 / 100	+9.5 pp vs world	8.1%	46 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	74.6 / 100	+1.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	119 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100	-8.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1971	28.3%	42 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	76.6 / 100	+19.3 pp vs world	40.3%	16 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.5 / 100	+9.8 pp vs world	8.1%	44 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	75.7 / 100	+1.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	119 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100	-8.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1972	28.3%	40 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	77.7 / 100	+19.6 pp vs world	40.3%	12 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	93.8 / 100	+9.8 pp vs world	8.1%	50 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	72.3 / 100	+1.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	122 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.6 / 100	-8.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1973	28.3%	44 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	75.4 / 100	+19.1 pp vs world	40.3%	17 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.0 / 100	+9.5 pp vs world	8.1%	45 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	75.1 / 100	+1.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	122 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	31.6 / 100	-8.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1974	28.3%	41 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	77.1 / 100	+19.6 pp vs world	40.3%	20 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	89.3 / 100	+8.6 pp vs world	8.1%	39 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	78.5 / 100	+1.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	115 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	35.6 / 100	-8.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1975	28.3%	42 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	76.6 / 100	+20.0 pp vs world	40.3%	19 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+9.7 pp vs world	8.1%	46 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	74.6 / 100	+1.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	120 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	32.8 / 100	-9.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1976	28.3%	40 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	77.7 / 100	+20.3 pp vs world	40.3%	17 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.0 / 100	+9.5 pp vs world	8.1%	44 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	75.7 / 100	+1.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	121 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	32.2 / 100	-9.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1977	28.3%	36 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	80.0 / 100	+20.5 pp vs world	40.3%	15 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.1 / 100	+9.6 pp vs world	8.1%	47 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	74.0 / 100	+1.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	126 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.4 / 100	-9.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1978	28.3%	33 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	81.7 / 100	+20.7 pp vs world	40.3%	14 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.7 / 100	+9.8 pp vs world	8.1%	43 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	76.3 / 100	+1.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	128 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	28.2 / 100	-9.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1979	28.3%	36 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	80.0 / 100	+20.9 pp vs world	40.3%	17 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.0 / 100	+9.5 pp vs world	8.1%	46 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	74.6 / 100	+1.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	126 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.4 / 100	-9.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1980	28.3%	35 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	80.6 / 100	+21.4 pp vs world	40.3%	21 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	88.7 / 100	+9.2 pp vs world	8.1%	39 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	78.5 / 100	+1.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	125 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	29.9 / 100	-10.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1981	28.3%	35 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	80.6 / 100	+21.5 pp vs world	40.3%	17 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.0 / 100	+9.7 pp vs world	8.1%	41 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	77.4 / 100	+1.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	124 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	30.5 / 100	-11.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1982	28.3%	35 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	80.6 / 100	+21.5 pp vs world	40.3%	14 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.7 / 100	+10.5 pp vs world	8.1%	42 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	76.8 / 100	+1.9 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	133 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	25.4 / 100	-12.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1983	28.3%	37 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	79.4 / 100	+21.3 pp vs world	40.3%	15 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.1 / 100	+11.0 pp vs world	8.1%	39 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	78.5 / 100	+2.2 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	129 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	27.7 / 100	-12.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1984	28.3%	35 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	80.6 / 100	+21.4 pp vs world	40.3%	16 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.5 / 100	+11.1 pp vs world	8.1%	33 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	81.9 / 100	+2.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	134 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	24.9 / 100	-12.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1985	28.3%	33 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	81.7 / 100	+21.9 pp vs world	40.3%	17 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	91.0 / 100	+11.6 pp vs world	8.1%	32 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	82.5 / 100	+2.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	136 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	23.7 / 100	-13.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1986	28.3%	34 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	81.1 / 100	+22.4 pp vs world	40.3%	13 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	93.2 / 100	+12.7 pp vs world	8.1%	29 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	84.2 / 100	+2.2 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	136 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	23.7 / 100	-14.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1987	28.3%	34 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	81.1 / 100	+22.8 pp vs world	40.3%	14 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	92.7 / 100	+12.9 pp vs world	8.1%	26 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	85.9 / 100	+2.1 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	134 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	24.9 / 100	-15.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1988	28.3%	34 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	81.1 / 100	+22.9 pp vs world	40.3%	12 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	93.8 / 100	+13.1 pp vs world	8.1%	28 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	84.7 / 100	+2.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	138 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	22.6 / 100	-15.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1989	28.3%	35 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	80.7 / 100	+22.9 pp vs world	40.3%	13 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	93.3 / 100	+13.5 pp vs world	8.1%	30 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	83.7 / 100	+1.9 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.2%	136 of 179 · highest-to-lowest	24.2 / 100	-15.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1990	27.4%	45 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	78.3 / 100	+22.2 pp vs world	45.9%	9 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	96.1 / 100	+19.4 pp vs world	8.6%	39 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	81.5 / 100	+2.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	18.0%	178 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	13.7 / 100	-21.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1991	28.0%	44 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	78.8 / 100	+23.2 pp vs world	43.0%	9 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	96.1 / 100	+17.0 pp vs world	8.2%	40 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	81.0 / 100	+2.1 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	20.9%	162 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	21.5 / 100	-19.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1992	28.5%	44 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	78.8 / 100	+24.2 pp vs world	38.9%	19 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	91.2 / 100	+13.6 pp vs world	9.1%	26 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	87.8 / 100	+3.2 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	23.5%	148 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	28.3 / 100	-17.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1993	27.9%	43 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	79.3 / 100	+23.8 pp vs world	37.7%	20 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	90.7 / 100	+13.0 pp vs world	8.5%	27 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	87.3 / 100	+2.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	25.9%	143 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	30.7 / 100	-15.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1994	29.5%	36 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	82.8 / 100	+25.5 pp vs world	36.3%	20 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	90.7 / 100	+11.8 pp vs world	6.3%	82 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	60.5 / 100	+0.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	27.9%	123 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	40.5 / 100	-13.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1995	27.6%	43 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	79.3 / 100	+23.7 pp vs world	35.3%	20 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	90.7 / 100	+10.8 pp vs world	6.7%	54 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	74.1 / 100	+0.9 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	30.3%	112 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	45.9 / 100	-11.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1996	29.0%	40 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	80.8 / 100	+24.9 pp vs world	32.4%	32 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	84.9 / 100	+8.1 pp vs world	6.4%	75 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	63.9 / 100	+0.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.3%	100 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	51.7 / 100	-10.1 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1997	28.9%	38 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	81.8 / 100	+25.0 pp vs world	29.8%	44 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	79.0 / 100	+5.7 pp vs world	6.3%	73 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	64.9 / 100	+0.8 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	35.0%	84 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	59.5 / 100	-7.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1998	29.6%	31 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	85.2 / 100	+25.8 pp vs world	29.7%	37 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	82.4 / 100	+6.6 pp vs world	5.1%	118 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	42.9 / 100	-0.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	35.6%	89 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	57.1 / 100	-7.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1999	31.4%	27 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	87.2 / 100	+27.8 pp vs world	30.1%	39 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	81.5 / 100	+7.1 pp vs world	6.1%	74 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	64.4 / 100	+0.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.4%	113 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	45.4 / 100	-11.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2000	30.4%	25 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	88.2 / 100	+26.9 pp vs world	30.2%	45 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	78.5 / 100	+6.7 pp vs world	6.9%	44 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	79.0 / 100	+1.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.5%	109 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	47.3 / 100	-11.1 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2001	30.4%	22 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	89.7 / 100	+26.9 pp vs world	30.8%	37 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	82.4 / 100	+8.3 pp vs world	7.0%	41 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	80.5 / 100	+1.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	31.8%	119 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	42.4 / 100	-12.6 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2002	30.2%	26 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	87.7 / 100	+26.8 pp vs world	30.2%	41 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	80.5 / 100	+8.1 pp vs world	8.0%	26 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	87.8 / 100	+2.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	31.6%	122 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	41.0 / 100	-13.4 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2003	27.2%	31 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	85.2 / 100	+23.8 pp vs world	31.3%	35 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	83.4 / 100	+9.2 pp vs world	8.7%	19 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	91.2 / 100	+3.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.8%	115 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	44.4 / 100	-12.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004	26.7%	30 of 204 · highest-to-lowest	85.7 / 100	+23.3 pp vs world	31.7%	36 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	82.9 / 100	+9.1 pp vs world	9.3%	18 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	91.7 / 100	+3.8 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.3%	111 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	46.3 / 100	-12.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2005	25.0%	33 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	84.3 / 100	+21.7 pp vs world	33.2%	33 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	84.5 / 100	+10.1 pp vs world	9.6%	20 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	90.8 / 100	+4.1 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.2%	115 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	44.9 / 100	-12.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2006	23.3%	37 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	82.4 / 100	+20.0 pp vs world	34.1%	39 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	81.6 / 100	+10.6 pp vs world	9.0%	32 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	85.0 / 100	+3.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	33.6%	109 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	47.8 / 100	-10.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2007	21.2%	41 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	80.4 / 100	+17.7 pp vs world	35.9%	36 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	83.1 / 100	+12.3 pp vs world	8.8%	39 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	81.6 / 100	+3.1 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	34.1%	106 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	49.3 / 100	-9.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2008	21.6%	41 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	80.6 / 100	+17.9 pp vs world	38.0%	27 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+13.9 pp vs world	8.3%	45 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	78.9 / 100	+2.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.2%	115 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	45.5 / 100	-10.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2009	20.9%	42 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	80.1 / 100	+17.1 pp vs world	39.0%	18 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	91.9 / 100	+16.7 pp vs world	8.0%	51 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	76.1 / 100	+2.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.1%	118 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.0 / 100	-13.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2010	20.8%	41 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	80.6 / 100	+16.8 pp vs world	40.2%	19 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	91.4 / 100	+16.5 pp vs world	8.0%	44 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	79.4 / 100	+2.7 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	31.0%	125 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-12.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2011	23.1%	35 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	83.5 / 100	+18.8 pp vs world	39.7%	24 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	89.0 / 100	+15.4 pp vs world	7.9%	40 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	81.3 / 100	+2.5 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	29.4%	129 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	38.8 / 100	-13.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2012	23.4%	35 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	83.5 / 100	+19.1 pp vs world	39.4%	22 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.0 / 100	+15.3 pp vs world	7.8%	51 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	76.1 / 100	+2.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	29.4%	131 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	37.8 / 100	-13.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2013	22.4%	35 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	83.5 / 100	+18.0 pp vs world	39.8%	19 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	91.4 / 100	+16.0 pp vs world	7.8%	48 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	77.5 / 100	+2.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	30.0%	134 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-13.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2014	21.8%	36 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	83.0 / 100	+17.4 pp vs world	38.7%	18 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	91.9 / 100	+15.4 pp vs world	8.2%	41 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	80.9 / 100	+2.6 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	31.3%	131 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	37.8 / 100	-12.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2015	21.6%	38 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	82.0 / 100	+17.2 pp vs world	37.2%	17 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	92.3 / 100	+14.9 pp vs world	9.0%	36 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	83.3 / 100	+3.4 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	32.2%	133 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.8 / 100	-12.1 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2016	21.7%	36 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	83.0 / 100	+17.3 pp vs world	38.4%	11 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	95.2 / 100	+16.7 pp vs world	8.8%	30 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	86.1 / 100	+3.3 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	31.1%	146 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	30.6 / 100	-13.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2017	22.8%	32 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	85.0 / 100	+18.5 pp vs world	36.9%	16 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	92.8 / 100	+14.9 pp vs world	8.6%	33 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	84.7 / 100	+3.0 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	31.7%	137 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	34.9 / 100	-12.7 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2018	23.3%	28 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	86.9 / 100	+19.1 pp vs world	34.8%	22 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.0 / 100	+12.3 pp vs world	8.9%	34 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	84.2 / 100	+3.2 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	33.0%	126 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.2 / 100	-11.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2019	21.2%	36 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	83.0 / 100	+17.0 pp vs world	35.0%	20 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+13.3 pp vs world	9.7%	29 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	86.6 / 100	+3.9 pp vs world	0.5%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-13.7 pp vs world	2.3%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-7.1 pp vs world	31.2%	146 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	30.6 / 100	-13.3 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2020	22.4%	32 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	85.0 / 100	+17.8 pp vs world	33.8%	20 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+12.8 pp vs world	10.0%	24 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	89.0 / 100	+4.2 pp vs world	0.3%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-13.4 pp vs world	1.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-8.3 pp vs world	32.6%	146 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	30.6 / 100	-13.1 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2021	23.8%	28 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	86.9 / 100	+19.2 pp vs world	33.1%	32 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	85.2 / 100	+10.8 pp vs world	10.2%	22 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.0 / 100	+4.5 pp vs world	0.2%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-13.7 pp vs world	0.9%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-8.6 pp vs world	31.8%	130 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	38.3 / 100	-12.2 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2022	23.1%	31 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	85.4 / 100	+18.6 pp vs world	32.6%	37 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	82.8 / 100	+9.9 pp vs world	10.8%	18 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	91.9 / 100	+5.2 pp vs world	0.2%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-14.0 pp vs world	1.0%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-8.6 pp vs world	32.2%	121 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	42.6 / 100	-11.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2023	22.0%	36 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	83.0 / 100	+17.7 pp vs world	36.1%	22 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.0 / 100	+14.3 pp vs world	11.0%	16 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	92.8 / 100	+5.2 pp vs world	0.2%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-14.3 pp vs world	1.2%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-8.4 pp vs world	29.5%	148 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	29.7 / 100	-14.5 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2024	20.9%	38 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	82.0 / 100	+16.7 pp vs world	37.7%	17 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	92.3 / 100	+16.5 pp vs world	11.6%	15 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	93.3 / 100	+5.8 pp vs world	0.2%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-14.3 pp vs world	1.2%	210 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	0.0 / 100	-8.6 pp vs world	28.4%	155 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	26.3 / 100	-16.0 pp vs world

Calculations created by Tesseron World Observatory, data from UNSD Analysis of Main Aggregates (2026-01-28_89ede278; source updated 2026-01-28T00:00:00).

09 · Manufacturing position

What role does manufacturing play at home and in the world?

Domestic share, its place inside the parent industry, real growth, specialization and world contribution are kept together.

Full historical record

Manufacturing in the economic structure

Manufacturing accounts for 20.5% of total gross value added in 2024. In 2024, Democratic People's Republic of Korea was 4.8 percentage points above the world value.

Latest share: 20.5%
World specialization: 1.31×
Latest year: 2024

Formation1970–1990

26.7% → 31.8%

Percentage-point change: +5.1 pp

Integration1990–2010

31.8% → 21.9%

Percentage-point change: -9.9 pp

Current era2010–2024

21.9% → 20.5%

Percentage-point change: -1.4 pp

Share of total GVA20.5%2024 · Derived measure · World rank 26 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Share within parent activity54.4%2024 · Derived measure · World rank 133 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Real manufacturing growth7.0%2024 · Published series · World rank 38 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Share of world manufacturing0.0%2024 · Derived measure · World rank 107 of 210 · highest-to-lowest

Manufacturing annual rates, ranks and specialization table55 annual rows

Manufacturing's annual structural, growth and world-position measures. Annual rows cover the full 1970–2024 AMA record wherever the source publishes a value. World ranks run highest-to-lowest. The position index converts rank to a 0–100 scale: 100 is first and 0 is last; it is not a performance score. World comparison is either a world-equals-100 value index or a percentage-point gap, according to the measure.

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From yearTo year

Showing 55 of 55 rows

Manufacturing annual rates, ranks and specialization table

Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1970	26.7%	16 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	91.4 / 100	+0.8 pp vs world	66.2%	122 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	30.9 / 100	-17.9 pp vs world	Source observation unavailable	Not calculable without a source observation	Not calculable without a source observation	Comparable world observation unavailable	0.2%	41 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	77.1 / 100	-99.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1971	26.7%	16 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	91.4 / 100	+1.2 pp vs world	66.2%	120 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	32.0 / 100	-17.5 pp vs world	10.4%	36 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	80.0 / 100	+7.3 pp vs world	0.2%	41 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	77.1 / 100	-99.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1972	26.7%	16 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	91.4 / 100	+1.2 pp vs world	66.2%	122 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	30.9 / 100	-17.4 pp vs world	10.4%	47 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	73.7 / 100	+4.0 pp vs world	0.2%	40 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	77.7 / 100	-99.8 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1973	26.7%	17 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+1.1 pp vs world	66.2%	124 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	29.7 / 100	-16.8 pp vs world	10.4%	48 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	73.1 / 100	+1.4 pp vs world	0.1%	42 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	76.6 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1974	26.7%	20 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	89.1 / 100	+1.6 pp vs world	66.2%	119 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	32.6 / 100	-13.0 pp vs world	10.4%	38 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	78.9 / 100	+9.1 pp vs world	0.1%	43 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	76.0 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1975	26.7%	20 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	89.1 / 100	+2.5 pp vs world	66.2%	119 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	32.6 / 100	-12.8 pp vs world	10.4%	27 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	85.1 / 100	+13.3 pp vs world	0.1%	42 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	76.6 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1976	26.7%	20 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	89.1 / 100	+2.4 pp vs world	66.2%	119 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	32.6 / 100	-12.5 pp vs world	4.1%	111 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	37.1 / 100	-3.1 pp vs world	0.1%	44 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	75.4 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1977	26.7%	18 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	90.3 / 100	+2.6 pp vs world	66.2%	116 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	34.3 / 100	-12.2 pp vs world	4.1%	91 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	48.6 / 100	+0.2 pp vs world	0.1%	45 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	74.9 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1978	26.7%	17 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+2.6 pp vs world	66.2%	117 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	33.7 / 100	-12.8 pp vs world	4.1%	105 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	40.6 / 100	+0.6 pp vs world	0.1%	47 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	73.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1979	26.7%	19 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+2.9 pp vs world	66.2%	113 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-10.9 pp vs world	4.1%	102 of 176 · highest-to-lowest	42.3 / 100	-0.0 pp vs world	0.1%	48 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	73.3 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1980	26.7%	17 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+3.8 pp vs world	66.2%	111 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	37.5 / 100	-7.4 pp vs world	4.1%	81 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	54.5 / 100	+3.9 pp vs world	0.1%	52 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	71.0 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1981	26.7%	12 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	93.8 / 100	+4.2 pp vs world	66.2%	113 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-7.2 pp vs world	3.7%	77 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	56.8 / 100	+2.4 pp vs world	0.1%	52 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	71.0 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1982	26.7%	15 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	92.0 / 100	+4.6 pp vs world	66.2%	115 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	35.2 / 100	-7.8 pp vs world	3.7%	69 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	61.4 / 100	+5.4 pp vs world	0.1%	48 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	73.3 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1983	26.7%	12 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	93.8 / 100	+5.0 pp vs world	66.2%	113 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-7.8 pp vs world	3.7%	70 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	60.8 / 100	+1.8 pp vs world	0.1%	49 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	72.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1984	26.7%	15 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	92.0 / 100	+4.9 pp vs world	66.2%	111 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	37.5 / 100	-8.4 pp vs world	3.7%	102 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	42.6 / 100	-1.7 pp vs world	0.1%	51 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	71.6 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1985	26.7%	17 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+5.0 pp vs world	66.2%	114 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	35.8 / 100	-9.3 pp vs world	3.7%	84 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	52.8 / 100	-0.6 pp vs world	0.1%	51 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	71.6 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1986	26.7%	18 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	90.3 / 100	+4.8 pp vs world	66.2%	115 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	35.2 / 100	-13.0 pp vs world	1.4%	112 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	36.9 / 100	-0.7 pp vs world	0.1%	49 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	72.7 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1987	26.7%	17 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+5.0 pp vs world	66.2%	113 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-13.1 pp vs world	1.4%	129 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	27.3 / 100	-3.1 pp vs world	0.1%	52 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	71.0 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1988	26.7%	21 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	88.6 / 100	+4.9 pp vs world	66.2%	115 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	35.2 / 100	-13.9 pp vs world	1.4%	113 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-4.3 pp vs world	0.1%	52 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	71.0 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1989	26.7%	19 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	89.8 / 100	+5.3 pp vs world	66.2%	115 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	35.6 / 100	-13.6 pp vs world	1.4%	112 of 177 · highest-to-lowest	36.9 / 100	-1.3 pp vs world	0.1%	52 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	71.2 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1990	31.8%	12 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	94.6 / 100	+11.0 pp vs world	69.2%	124 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	39.7 / 100	-9.1 pp vs world	11.2%	30 of 178 · highest-to-lowest	83.6 / 100	+10.0 pp vs world	0.1%	59 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	71.6 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1991	29.0%	19 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	91.2 / 100	+8.5 pp vs world	67.3%	132 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	35.8 / 100	-11.4 pp vs world	-13.9%	186 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	9.3 / 100	-13.9 pp vs world	0.1%	57 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	72.5 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1992	24.6%	32 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	84.8 / 100	+4.8 pp vs world	63.2%	144 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	29.9 / 100	-15.1 pp vs world	-18.3%	188 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	8.3 / 100	-17.8 pp vs world	0.1%	63 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	69.6 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1993	24.7%	25 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	88.2 / 100	+5.6 pp vs world	65.6%	139 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	32.4 / 100	-11.9 pp vs world	-2.0%	130 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	36.8 / 100	-1.3 pp vs world	0.1%	68 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	67.2 / 100	-99.9 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1994	23.6%	27 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	87.3 / 100	+4.5 pp vs world	65.1%	138 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	32.8 / 100	-13.1 pp vs world	-3.9%	160 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	22.1 / 100	-7.4 pp vs world	0.0%	75 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	63.7 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1995	22.5%	33 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	84.3 / 100	+3.4 pp vs world	63.7%	140 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	31.9 / 100	-14.3 pp vs world	-5.3%	181 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	11.8 / 100	-10.2 pp vs world	0.0%	87 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	57.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1996	20.9%	40 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	80.9 / 100	+2.4 pp vs world	64.7%	137 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100	-11.8 pp vs world	-8.0%	193 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	5.9 / 100	-10.6 pp vs world	0.0%	75 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	63.7 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1997	18.8%	56 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	73.0 / 100	+0.6 pp vs world	63.3%	137 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	33.3 / 100	-12.8 pp vs world	-18.3%	199 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	2.9 / 100	-22.9 pp vs world	0.0%	78 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	62.3 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1998	19.0%	51 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	75.5 / 100	+1.3 pp vs world	63.9%	136 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	33.8 / 100	-12.9 pp vs world	-2.6%	166 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	19.1 / 100	-4.0 pp vs world	0.0%	79 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	61.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	1999	18.3%	54 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	74.0 / 100	+0.8 pp vs world	60.7%	139 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	32.4 / 100	-15.2 pp vs world	7.9%	46 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	77.9 / 100	+4.6 pp vs world	0.0%	79 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	61.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2000	17.7%	61 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	70.6 / 100	+0.3 pp vs world	58.6%	145 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	29.4 / 100	-15.3 pp vs world	1.4%	152 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	26.0 / 100	-5.0 pp vs world	0.0%	80 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	61.3 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2001	18.1%	57 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	72.5 / 100	+1.7 pp vs world	58.5%	147 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	28.4 / 100	-14.1 pp vs world	3.2%	96 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	53.4 / 100	+3.9 pp vs world	0.0%	78 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	62.3 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2002	18.0%	56 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	73.0 / 100	+2.0 pp vs world	59.6%	146 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	28.9 / 100	-12.5 pp vs world	-1.5%	168 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	18.1 / 100	-2.5 pp vs world	0.0%	79 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	61.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2003	18.5%	51 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	75.5 / 100	+2.6 pp vs world	59.0%	142 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	30.9 / 100	-12.5 pp vs world	2.7%	115 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	44.1 / 100	-0.7 pp vs world	0.0%	80 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	61.3 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004	18.5%	50 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	76.1 / 100	+1.2 pp vs world	58.5%	139 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	32.7 / 100	-18.0 pp vs world	0.3%	166 of 205 · highest-to-lowest	19.1 / 100	-19.2 pp vs world	0.0%	87 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	58.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2005	19.0%	46 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	78.3 / 100	+1.9 pp vs world	57.2%	142 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	31.9 / 100	-16.8 pp vs world	4.8%	95 of 206 · highest-to-lowest	54.1 / 100	+0.5 pp vs world	0.0%	84 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	59.9 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2006	19.5%	44 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	79.2 / 100	+2.4 pp vs world	57.0%	142 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	31.9 / 100	-15.5 pp vs world	0.4%	166 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	19.9 / 100	-6.2 pp vs world	0.0%	86 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	58.9 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2007	20.0%	40 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	81.2 / 100	+2.9 pp vs world	55.7%	143 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	31.4 / 100	-16.8 pp vs world	0.7%	156 of 207 · highest-to-lowest	24.8 / 100	-5.3 pp vs world	0.0%	91 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	56.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2008	22.5%	20 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+5.7 pp vs world	59.4%	136 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	35.4 / 100	-10.5 pp vs world	2.6%	100 of 208 · highest-to-lowest	52.2 / 100	+1.4 pp vs world	0.0%	96 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	54.5 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2009	22.1%	19 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	91.4 / 100	+5.9 pp vs world	56.8%	139 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	34.0 / 100	-15.9 pp vs world	-3.0%	102 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	51.7 / 100	+3.3 pp vs world	0.0%	97 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	54.1 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2010	21.9%	17 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	92.3 / 100	+5.1 pp vs world	54.5%	137 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	34.9 / 100	-16.3 pp vs world	-0.3%	163 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	22.5 / 100	-9.4 pp vs world	0.0%	93 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	56.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2011	21.9%	19 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	91.4 / 100	+5.1 pp vs world	55.3%	130 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	38.3 / 100	-14.0 pp vs world	-3.0%	189 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	10.0 / 100	-7.3 pp vs world	0.0%	93 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	56.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2012	21.9%	21 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.4 / 100	+5.2 pp vs world	55.6%	132 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	37.3 / 100	-13.9 pp vs world	1.6%	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	-0.8 pp vs world	0.0%	95 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	55.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2013	22.1%	22 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.0 / 100	+5.5 pp vs world	55.6%	133 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.8 / 100	-14.4 pp vs world	1.1%	125 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	40.7 / 100	-2.1 pp vs world	0.0%	95 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	55.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2014	21.3%	20 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	90.9 / 100	+4.6 pp vs world	55.1%	133 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.8 / 100	-16.7 pp vs world	0.8%	134 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.4 / 100	-3.4 pp vs world	0.0%	95 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	55.0 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2015	20.4%	28 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	87.1 / 100	+3.4 pp vs world	54.9%	139 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	34.0 / 100	-21.3 pp vs world	-3.4%	176 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	16.3 / 100	-6.9 pp vs world	0.0%	99 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	53.1 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2016	20.6%	25 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	88.5 / 100	+3.8 pp vs world	53.6%	141 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	33.0 / 100	-23.7 pp vs world	4.8%	70 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	67.0 / 100	+2.3 pp vs world	0.0%	101 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	52.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2017	20.1%	29 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	86.6 / 100	+3.3 pp vs world	54.5%	140 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	33.5 / 100	-21.6 pp vs world	-6.9%	191 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	9.1 / 100	-10.3 pp vs world	0.0%	102 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	51.7 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2018	18.8%	38 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	82.3 / 100	+1.9 pp vs world	53.9%	140 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	33.5 / 100	-21.1 pp vs world	-9.1%	204 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	2.9 / 100	-13.1 pp vs world	0.0%	106 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	49.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2019	18.7%	38 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	82.3 / 100	+2.3 pp vs world	53.3%	141 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	33.0 / 100	-22.2 pp vs world	-1.1%	162 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	23.0 / 100	-2.5 pp vs world	0.0%	105 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	50.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2020	17.3%	44 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	79.4 / 100	+1.0 pp vs world	51.4%	141 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	33.0 / 100	-26.2 pp vs world	-3.8%	95 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	55.0 / 100	-1.4 pp vs world	0.0%	105 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	50.2 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2021	18.3%	42 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	80.4 / 100	+1.5 pp vs world	55.2%	132 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	37.3 / 100	-20.2 pp vs world	-3.3%	188 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	10.5 / 100	-12.2 pp vs world	0.0%	108 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	48.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2022	21.0%	27 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	87.6 / 100	+4.6 pp vs world	64.2%	117 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	44.5 / 100	-7.7 pp vs world	-4.6%	182 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	13.4 / 100	-6.6 pp vs world	0.0%	109 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	48.3 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2023	21.6%	23 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	89.5 / 100	+5.7 pp vs world	60.0%	124 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	41.1 / 100	-13.4 pp vs world	-1.9%	148 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	29.7 / 100	-3.5 pp vs world	0.0%	106 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	49.8 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2024	20.5%	26 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	88.0 / 100	+4.8 pp vs world	54.4%	133 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	36.8 / 100	-19.7 pp vs world	7.0%	38 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	82.3 / 100	+4.1 pp vs world	0.0%	107 of 210 · highest-to-lowest	49.3 / 100	-100.0 pp vs world

Calculations created by Tesseron World Observatory, data from UNSD Analysis of Main Aggregates (2026-01-28_89ede278; source updated 2026-01-28T00:00:00).

Interpretation note

Manufacturing is part of mining, manufacturing and utilities; it is not a seventh broad-industry slice. Share and real growth describe different dimensions.

Current manufacturing specialization

Asia0.95×

Eastern Asia0.84×

World1.31×

Democratic People's Republic of Korea Economic Overview

Read the economy through three eras

What should a reader know first?

Real output, indexed to a shared starting year

Real GDP trajectory

How large is the economy, and where does it sit globally?

Nominal GDP

Nominal GDP and UN benchmarks

What does the record show per person?

GDP per person

GDP per person and UN benchmarks

How quickly has real activity changed, and how have output prices moved?

Real GDP growth

Real GDP growth and UN benchmarks

How is output used for consumption and domestic demand?

Final Consumption

Final consumption and UN benchmarks

How much current output is directed toward capital formation?

Gross Capital Formation

Gross capital formation and UN benchmarks

How exposed is the economy to trade, and what is the external balance?

Trade openness

Trade openness and UN benchmarks

Which activities produce value, and how is the mix changing?

Structural change across six activities

Industry composition and economic scale

Broad industry structure over time

What role does manufacturing play at home and in the world?

Manufacturing in the economic structure