North Korea's population problem | Lowy Institute
A demographic crisis is looming in the hermit kingdom and that has policy implications – foreign and domestic.
www.lowyinstitute.orgHere’s the latest information I can share on North Korea’s population in 2026, based on recent public estimates.
Direct answer:
- The best-known contemporary estimates place North Korea’s population in 2026 around 26.6 million people, with minor growth vs. 2025.
Details and context:
- Population figures for 2026 vary slightly by source due to differences in methodology (UN-adjusted vs. adjusted estimates) and whether mid-year or year-end figures are used. Most mainstream projections cluster in the 26.6 million range, with annual growth rates around 0.2–0.3%. For example, several demographic trackers report 2026 populations in the 26.6–26.64 million band, indicating only modest natural growth [sources vary but converge around this range]. These differences are typical for countries with limited data transparency and reliance on indirect indicators.[3][7][9]
What this means:
- Population is large and relatively stable year over year, but small shifts in birth rates and net migration can affect the exact 2026 figure by tens of thousands depending on the source.
- The age structure is aging gradually, with a sizable working-age cohort but a growing share of elderly residents over time, which has implications for social services and future demographic policy.[5][8]
Illustrative snapshot:
- If you need a quick sense of distribution, the youth share (under 15) is typically smaller than the working-age group, while the elderly cohort is expanding, a common pattern in many East Asian populations and a factor in potential future policy planning.[8][5]
Would you like me to pull the most recent official UN or World Bank figures and provide a short table comparing 2024–2026, along with sources? I can also include a quick chart if you want a visual trend. If you have a preferred source (e.g., UN, Worldometer, World Population Review), tell me and I’ll align to it.
Citations:
- Population estimates around 26.6 million and 2026 growth rates are reported by multiple demographic trackers and population portals, reflecting the same approximate range.[7][9][3]
- Age structure and demographic trends are discussed in demographic analyses and regional population overviews, noting aging and working-age dynamics in North Korea.[5][8]