Population of North Korea
As of July 2026, the population of North Korea is 26.4 million. The number of inhabitants has increased by 64 thousand in the last year, representing a growth of 0.26%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 34.4 years in 2016 to 36.9 years in 2026. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 74.1 years and population density is 219.1 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Population Growth
The population growth rate of North Korea peaked in 1967, reaching around 2.91% annually, but has since declined to approximately 0.24% in 2026. The annual increase in the number of people has also decreased from a peak of around 402.5 thousand in 1967 to nearly 63.63 thousand in 2026.
Life Expectancy
In North Korea, life expectancy at birth has been increasing, with the indicator rising from 69.1 years in 2006 to 74.1 years in 2026, representing an increase de 5 years over the past 2 decades.
Most populous cities in North Korea
North Korea has several cities considered medium-sized by their number of inhabitants, but there are also some large ones. The most populous city is Pyongyang, con una diferencia significativa sobre las demás, alcanzando approximately 3.2 million inhabitants. It is followed by Hamhŭng, South Hamgyong with 559.1 thousand and Namp’o, Nampo with 455 thousand.
These are the 20 most populous cities in North Korea:
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyongyang | 3,222,000 |
| 2 | Hamhŭng, South Hamgyong | 559,056 |
| 3 | Namp’o, Nampo | 455,000 |
| 4 | Sunch’ŏn, South Pyongan | 437,000 |
| 5 | Hŭngnam, South Hamgyong | 346,082 |
| 6 | Kaesŏng, Kaesong | 338,155 |
| 7 | Wŏnsan, Kangwŏn-do | 329,207 |
| 8 | Chongjin, North Hamgyong | 327,000 |
| 9 | Man’gyŏngdae-ri, Pyongyang | 321,690 |
| 10 | Kaech’ŏn, South Pyongan | 319,554 |
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Sariwŏn-si, North Hwanghae | 310,100 |
| 12 | Sinŭiju, P'yŏngan-bukto | 288,112 |
| 13 | Tŏkch’ŏn, South Pyongan | 237,133 |
| 14 | Haeju, South Hwanghae | 222,396 |
| 15 | Kanggye, Chagang | 209,530 |
| 16 | Changam-ch’on, South Hamgyong | 207,299 |
| 17 | Hyesan, Yanggang-do | 192,680 |
| 18 | Paech’ŏn-ŭp, South Hwanghae | 159,825 |
| 19 | Sinp’o, South Hamgyong | 152,759 |
| 20 | Songnim-ni, North Hwanghae | 152,425 |