Which has higher prevalence of undernourishment, North Korea or Sub-Saharan Africa?

North Korea, at 47.0% against 21.9% in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2018.

How many years of comparable data are there for North Korea and Sub-Saharan Africa?

18 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2018.

Where does this data come from?

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

North Korea vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Prevalence of undernourishment

North Korea

47.0%

in 2018

Sub-Saharan Africa

21.9%

in 2023

North Korea rank

3rd

Sub-Saharan Africa rank

6th

Prevalence of undernourishment over time

North Korea
Sub-Saharan Africa

How they compare

North Korea currently reports 47.0% against 21.9% in Sub-Saharan Africa, a difference of 25.1%.

That makes North Korea's figure about 2.1 times Sub-Saharan Africa's.

Across all 18 years both countries report, North Korea has been ahead every year.

North Korea ranks 3rd and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 6th of 168 countries.

North Korea has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	North Korea	Sub-Saharan Africa	Difference	Ahead
2000s	36.7%	22.1%	14.6%	North Korea
2010s	44.9%	18.3%	26.6%	North Korea

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher prevalence of undernourishment, North Korea or Sub-Saharan Africa?: North Korea, at 47.0% against 21.9% in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2018.
What is the difference in prevalence of undernourishment between North Korea and Sub-Saharan Africa?: 25.1%, with North Korea ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for North Korea and Sub-Saharan Africa?: 18 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2018.
How do North Korea and Sub-Saharan Africa rank globally for prevalence of undernourishment?: North Korea ranks 3rd and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 6th of 168 countries.
Where does this data come from?: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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North Korea vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Prevalence of undernourishment. Statizoid, drawing on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/compare/prevalence-of-undernourishment-percent-of-population/korea-dem-people-s-rep/sub-saharan-africa/

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About this data

Indicator: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population)
Unit: % of population
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage: 215 places, 4,908 data points, 2001–2023
Last refreshed: 17 September 2026

Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.