North Korea
Asia · Eastern Asia
World's most isolated country; a totalitarian regime, with no independent tourism allowed.
At a Glance
North Korea
North Korea is the world's most closed country, a state where nearly all aspects of public and private life are shaped by a single political system, and where access for foreign visitors is tightly controlled and conducted through guided group tours. The landscapes are genuinely beautiful in places, and the culture has traces of an ancient Korean heritage that predates the division of the peninsula. For those who visit, it is an experience that raises profound questions with very few easy answers.
- Almost completely absent from global data — one of the few countries with no reliable economic statistics.
- GDP per capita is estimated at less than many Sub-Saharan African nations.
- Has a nuclear arsenal despite being unable to feed a significant share of its population.
Quick Facts
Capital
Pyongyang
Language
Korean
Currency
₩ KPW
Area
120,410 km²
Nomad Hub
Unemployment
3.5%
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about North Korea for real?
The matcher weighs your budget, timeline and dealbreakers against the same data on this page, then answers with the places that actually fit.
Find your match →Neighbouring Countries
💬Quick answers
Is North Korea safe?
North Korea scores 2.85 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #145 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
What is life expectancy in North Korea?
Life expectancy at birth in North Korea is 73.7 yrs (World Bank), ranked #101 of 195 countries.