North Korea: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for North Korea 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank North Korea: na
  • Happiness Score North Korea:na

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of North Korea. KP.
  • North Korea is a totalitarian state with a single-party political structure led by the Korean Workers’ Party.
  • Notable cultural aspects include a strong emphasis on traditional Korean culture, music, dance, and art.
  • Economically, North Korea faces significant challenges and is known for its focus on heavy industry and military production.
  • North Korea has a unique Juche ideology, which emphasizes self-reliance and independence.
  • The country has a highly centralized planned economy with little international trade or investment.
  • North Korea is known for its strict control of information and limited access to the outside world.
  • North Korea – A Comprehensive Overview

    Early History and Ancient Civilizations

    The Korean Peninsula has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of human settlements dating back to the Paleolithic era. The Gojoseon Kingdom, founded in the northern region around the present-day North Korea, is considered the first Korean kingdom, emerging in the 7th century BC. Over the centuries, various kingdoms and confederations, such as Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, rose and fell, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage.

    Kingdoms and Empires

    The Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) was a significant kingdom that ruled over the Korean Peninsula, followed by the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), which oversaw a period of cultural and technological advancement. During this era, the Korean alphabet, Hangul, was created, and Confucianism became a central philosophy.

    Colonial Period

    In the late 19th century, the Korean Peninsula became a battleground for competing interests between major powers. Japan gained increasing influence, eventually annexing Korea in 1910 and imposing colonial rule until the end of World War II in 1945.

    Independence and Modern Era

    After World War II, the Korean Peninsula was divided into two zones of occupation, with the north under Soviet control and the south under U.S. control. This division led to the establishment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) in 1948, led by Kim Il-sung. The Korean War (1950-1953) erupted, devastating the country and resulting in a stalemate that established the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the 38th parallel. North Korea adopted a communist system and remained a highly isolated and authoritarian state under the dynastic rule of the Kim family.

    Current Political Situation

    North Korea is a single-party state ruled by the Workers’ Party of Korea, with the Kim family maintaining an iron grip on power. The current leader is Kim Jong-un, who succeeded his father, Kim Jong-il, in 2011. The country has a tightly controlled economy, strict censorship, and limited civil liberties. North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs have been a source of international concern and have led to severe economic sanctions.

    International Relations

    North Korea maintains tense relations with South Korea and the United States, and its pursuit of nuclear weapons has strained its ties with the international community. The country has faced severe economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations and other nations due to its nuclear program and human rights violations. However, North Korea has maintained close ties with China and, to a lesser extent, Russia.

    Human Development and Economy

    North Korea’s economy is centrally planned and heavily reliant on state-owned enterprises. Major industries include mining, metallurgy, and military production. The country faces widespread poverty, food shortages, and a lack of basic necessities for many citizens. Human development indicators, such as life expectancy and literacy rates, are among the lowest in the world.

    Cultural Highlights

    North Korean culture is heavily influenced by the Juche ideology, which emphasizes self-reliance and the importance of the state. Korean is the official language, and the majority of the population follows a form of traditional Korean Buddhism or Cheondoism. North Korean art, literature, and architecture reflect the country’s political and ideological values.

    Challenges and Opportunities

    North Korea faces significant challenges, including economic stagnation, chronic food shortages, human rights concerns, and international isolation due to its nuclear program. Opportunities for progress may lie in diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, economic reforms to improve living standards, and greater engagement with the international community.

Main facts

1. Location

North Korea is a country located in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. It borders China to the north and Russia to the northeast, while sharing a heavily militarized border with South Korea to the south.

2. Map References

North Korea is situated in the East Asian region.

3. Area – Comparative

North Korea has an area of approximately 120,540 square kilometers, making it slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Mississippi.

4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries

North Korea shares land borders with the following countries:

5. Coastline

North Korea has a coastline of approximately 2,495 km along the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea) and the Yellow Sea.

6. Maritime Claims

North Korea claims the following maritime zones:

  • Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles

7. Climate

North Korea has a continental climate, with hot, humid summers and bitterly cold, dry winters. The climate varies according to latitude and elevation, with the northern regions experiencing longer, colder winters and the southern regions experiencing milder weather.

8. Terrain

The terrain of North Korea is predominantly mountainous, with the Hamgyong Range in the east and the Rangrim Mountains in the north. The western and central regions consist of hills and valleys, while the coastal plains are wide in the west and narrow in the east.

9. Elevation Extremes

The highest point in North Korea is Paektu Mountain at 2,744 meters, located on the border with China. The lowest point is the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea) at 0 meters.

10. Natural Resources

Major natural resources in North Korea include coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and hydropower potential.

11. Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in North Korea include the Yalu River (shared with China), the Tumen River (shared with China and Russia), and the Taedong River. The country also has several major lakes, such as Lake Samnye and Lake Yonp’ung.

12. Natural Hazards

North Korea is susceptible to natural hazards such as late spring droughts, which often lead to food shortages, as well as severe flooding during the summer monsoon season. The country is also located in a seismically active region and is vulnerable to earthquakes.

13. Geography – Notes

North Korea’s geography has played a significant role in shaping its political and economic situation. The country’s mountainous terrain and limited arable land have contributed to its food insecurity and economic challenges. Additionally, its strategic location on the Korean Peninsula has led to ongoing tensions with neighboring countries, particularly South Korea.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 40.70%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 28,284. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 21.80%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  40.339852127.510093.
  • Capital: The capital of North Korea is  Pyongyang
  • Major Cities:
    • Pyongyang – Population: 2,581,076
    • Hamhung – Population: 768,551
    • Chongjin – Population: 627,606
    • Nampo – Population: 454,247
    • Sariwon – Population: 310,100
  • Population: 25,666,161
  • Area(Km2): 120538
  • Population Density( P/Km²):214. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:850
  • Official Language(s):North Korea is Korean (100%)
  • Currency: KPW

Main Economic Indicators

North Korea has a centralized command economy largely isolated from global trade and investment. The economy faces chronic economic problems including severe underinvestment, widespread poverty, and an outmoded industrial base. The government focuses on military spending and self-sufficiency at the expense of providing for its citizens. North Korea’s GDP is estimated to have contracted in recent years due to persistent industrial underperformance, economic mismanagement, and trade disruptions from international sanctions imposed over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2022: N/A (data unavailable)
2021: N/A (data unavailable)
Note: Reliable economic data is scarce for North Korea due to lack of transparency and limited cooperation with international organizations.

Credit Ratings

Credit ratings are not available for North Korea from major agencies like Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s.

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 22.5%
Industry: 34.5%
Services: 43%
(Data from 2020 estimates)

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses, cattle, pigs, pork, mushrooms
Industrial Products: Military products, machine building, electric power, chemicals, mining, metallurgy, textiles, food processing

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 14.9 million (2020 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: N/A

Current Account Balance

2021: $100 million (surplus)
2020: $100 million (surplus)
Comparative Ranking: N/A

Exports and Imports

Exports: $100 million (2021 estimate)
Key Export Partners: China, Russia
Main Exports: Coal, textiles, iron, steel, machinery
Imports: $2.7 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Import Partners: China, Russia
Main Imports: Petroleum, coking coal, machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: N/A (data unavailable)
Gold Reserves: N/A (data unavailable)

  • GDP (Current US$):$32,100,000,000. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): . It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): . This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $0.58. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. . It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 2.74%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

National Identity

Nationality: noun – North Korean(s), adjective – North Korean

Ethnic Groups

Racially homogeneous, with the following ethnic composition:

  • Korean – approx. 99%
  • Other ethnicities (Chinese, Russian, etc.) – approx. 1%

Religions

Officially an atheist state, with the following religious affiliations:

  • No religion – approx. 64.3%
  • Korean shamanism and other traditional beliefs – approx. 16.7%
  • Cheondoism – approx. 13.8%
  • Buddhism – approx. 4.5%
  • Christianity – approx. 0.7%

Age Structure

  • 0-14 years: 20.89%
  • 15-64 years: 69.03%
  • 65 years and over: 10.08%

Dependency Ratios

  • Total dependency ratio: 44.6
  • Youth dependency ratio: 30.3
  • Elderly dependency ratio: 14.6

Median Age

  • Total population: 34.6 years
  • Males: 32.9 years
  • Females: 36.4 years

Lifestyle Indicators

  • Obesity rate: 6.8%
  • Alcohol consumption per capita: 2.9 liters
  • Tobacco use: 43.9% of adults
  • Life expectancy at birth: 71.9 years
  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 72.1. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 99%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:13.89. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:9. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 1.8. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 0%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 15,947,412. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

North Korea’s military and security forces are composed of the following main branches:

  • Korean People’s Army (KPA) – Ground forces divided into corps and military districts.
  • Korean People’s Navy – Naval forces with submarine and surface fleets.
  • Korean People’s Air Force – Air force with fighter jets and transport aircraft.
  • Strategic Rocket Forces – Unit responsible for North Korea’s ballistic missile arsenal.

The national police, the Ministry of People’s Security, and the State Security Department paramilitary forces are responsible for internal security.

Military Expenditures

North Korea’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2017: Estimated at around 25% of GDP
  • 2018: Estimated at around 24% of GDP
  • 2019: Estimated at around 23% of GDP
  • 2020: Estimated at around 22% of GDP
  • 2021: Estimated at around 21% of GDP

North Korea consistently ranks among the top nations globally in terms of military spending as a percentage of GDP.

Personnel Strengths

North Korea has an estimated 1.28 million active-duty military personnel, with the breakdown as follows:

  • Korean People’s Army: 1.1 million
  • Korean People’s Navy: 60,000
  • Korean People’s Air Force: 110,000
  • Strategic Rocket Forces: 10,000

The Worker-Peasant Red Guards, a civilian militia, is estimated to have around 7.7 million personnel.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

North Korea’s military equipment inventory includes:

  • Main Battle Tanks: Domestically produced Chonma-ho and imported Soviet-era T-62 and T-72 tanks.
  • Artillery: Towed and self-propelled artillery pieces, including 170mm Koksan guns and multiple rocket launchers.
  • Combat Aircraft: MiG-29 and Su-25 fighter jets, as well as domestically produced aircraft.
  • Naval Assets: Submarines (including one ballistic missile submarine), surface combatants, and coastal defense craft.
  • Ballistic Missiles: Variants of the Hwasong ballistic missile family, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

North Korea is actively pursuing the development of nuclear weapons and continues to conduct missile tests.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Military service is mandatory for males between the ages of 18 and 25. The standard service period is 10 years, with some exceptions for specific roles or educational backgrounds.

Military Deployments

North Korea does not currently have any significant overseas military deployments. However, it maintains a heightened military presence along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with South Korea.

Strategic Military Notes

North Korea’s defense strategy is focused on deterring perceived threats from the United States and its allies, particularly South Korea. The country’s military doctrine emphasizes asymmetric warfare capabilities, including its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

North Korea is not a member of any major military alliances but has strong military ties with China and maintains diplomatic relations with Russia.

  • Armed Forces Size: 13000000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 3.67
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 80.40%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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