Child mortality rate in North Korea
North Korea: Child mortality rate was 1.8% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
1.8%
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
86th
of 236 countries
All-time high
46.4%
in 1950
All-time low
1.7%
in 2021
Years of data
74
1950–2023
Child mortality rate in North Korea, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children.
Analysis
In 2023, child mortality rate in North Korea stood at 1.8%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.5% on the previous year and down 25.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality rate in North Korea peaked at 46.4% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 2021.
North Korea ranks 86th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Child mortality rate in North Korea, year by year
| Year | % of children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 46.4% | — |
| 1951 | 40.6% | -12.6% |
| 1952 | 26.6% | -34.5% |
| 1953 | 21.9% | -17.8% |
| 1954 | 17.0% | -22.5% |
| 1955 | 15.6% | -8.1% |
| 1956 | 14.4% | -7.5% |
| 1957 | 13.5% | -6.6% |
| 1958 | 12.7% | -5.7% |
| 1959 | 12.1% | -4.8% |
| 1960 | 11.6% | -4.0% |
| 1961 | 11.2% | -3.6% |
| 1962 | 10.8% | -3.5% |
| 1963 | 10.4% | -3.8% |
| 1964 | 10.0% | -4.2% |
| 1965 | 9.5% | -4.7% |
| 1966 | 9.0% | -5.3% |
| 1967 | 8.5% | -5.7% |
| 1968 | 8.0% | -6.0% |
| 1969 | 7.5% | -6.2% |
| 1970 | 7.0% | -6.1% |
| 1971 | 6.6% | -6.0% |
| 1972 | 6.2% | -5.7% |
| 1973 | 5.9% | -5.5% |
| 1974 | 5.6% | -5.2% |
| 1975 | 5.3% | -5.0% |
| 1976 | 5.0% | -4.7% |
| 1977 | 4.8% | -4.5% |
| 1978 | 4.6% | -4.4% |
| 1979 | 4.4% | -4.2% |
| 1980 | 4.2% | -4.1% |
| 1981 | 4.1% | -3.9% |
| 1982 | 3.9% | -3.5% |
| 1983 | 3.8% | -3.0% |
| 1984 | 3.7% | -2.1% |
| 1985 | 3.7% | -1.0% |
| 1986 | 3.7% | +0.2% |
| 1987 | 3.8% | +2.5% |
| 1988 | 3.8% | +1.5% |
| 1989 | 4.0% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | 4.1% | +3.1% |
| 1991 | 4.2% | +2.6% |
| 1992 | 4.3% | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 4.3% | +0.6% |
| 1994 | 4.3% | -0.5% |
| 1995 | 10.8% | +153.3% |
| 1996 | 10.6% | -1.4% |
| 1997 | 10.5% | -1.5% |
| 1998 | 10.3% | -1.4% |
| 1999 | 10.2% | -1.5% |
| 2000 | 10.1% | -1.4% |
| 2001 | 9.9% | -1.2% |
| 2002 | 9.8% | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 3.5% | -64.7% |
| 2004 | 3.4% | -2.1% |
| 2005 | 3.3% | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 3.3% | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 3.2% | -1.1% |
| 2008 | 3.1% | -4.2% |
| 2009 | 3.0% | -3.4% |
| 2010 | 2.9% | -4.3% |
| 2011 | 2.7% | -5.0% |
| 2012 | 2.6% | -5.6% |
| 2013 | 2.4% | -6.2% |
| 2014 | 2.3% | -6.2% |
| 2015 | 2.1% | -5.6% |
| 2016 | 2.1% | -3.5% |
| 2017 | 1.9% | -7.2% |
| 2018 | 1.8% | -3.7% |
| 2019 | 1.8% | -3.9% |
| 2020 | 1.7% | -1.4% |
| 2021 | 1.7% | -0.0% |
| 2022 | 1.8% | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 1.8% | +1.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 22.1% | 12.1% | 46.4% | 10 |
| 1960s | 9.6% | 7.5% | 11.6% | 10 |
| 1970s | 5.5% | 4.4% | 7.0% | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.9% | 3.7% | 4.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.4% | 4.1% | 10.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.3% | 3.0% | 10.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.3% | 1.8% | 2.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.8% | 1.7% | 1.8% | 4 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More health data for North Korea
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2456 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.16 % change on previous year (2100)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 767 deaths (2100)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,462 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Deaths in armed conflicts based on where they occurred 0 deaths (2026)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by region 0 deaths (2026)
- Age population, age 16, male, interpolated 166,971 (2025)
- Age population, age 18, female, interpolated 159,845 (2025)
- Age population, age 17, male, interpolated 168,398 (2025)
- Age population, age 17, female, interpolated 160,530 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is child mortality rate in North Korea?
- Child mortality rate in North Korea was 1.8% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest child mortality rate recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 46.4% in 1950.
- What is the lowest child mortality rate recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 2021.
- How does North Korea rank for child mortality rate?
- North Korea ranks 86th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is child mortality rate rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Child mortality rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of children who die before reaching the age of 5.