Deaths from malnutrition in North Korea

North Korea: Deaths from malnutrition was 334.48 deaths in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
334.48 deaths
Change on year
up 2.6%
World rank
63rd
of 194 countries
All-time high
29,582 deaths
in 2002
All-time low
252.82 deaths
in 2005
Years of data
22
2000–2021

Deaths from malnutrition in North Korea, 2000–2021

010.0k20.0k30.0k2000201020212000: 27.6k deaths2001: 27.7k deaths2002: 29.6k deaths2003: 289.9 deaths2004: 266.7 deaths2005: 252.8 deaths2006: 253.3 deaths2007: 266.3 deaths2008: 270.6 deaths2009: 275 deaths2010: 281 deaths2011: 279.3 deaths2012: 275.6 deaths2013: 280.1 deaths2014: 285.8 deaths2015: 298.2 deaths2016: 305.4 deaths2017: 302.8 deaths2018: 304.1 deaths2019: 317.1 deaths2020: 326 deaths2021: 334.5 deaths

Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.

Analysis

In 2021, deaths from malnutrition in North Korea stood at 334.48 deaths.

That represents a change of up 2.6% on the previous year and up 19.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, deaths from malnutrition in North Korea peaked at 29,582 deaths in 2002 and was at its lowest, 252.82 deaths, in 2005.

North Korea ranks 63rd of 194 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.

Deaths from malnutrition in North Korea, year by year

Annual values for Deaths from malnutrition in North Korea, 2000 to 2021.
Year deaths Change
2000 27,597 deaths
2001 27,660 deaths +0.2%
2002 29,582 deaths +6.9%
2003 289.85 deaths -99.0%
2004 266.66 deaths -8.0%
2005 252.82 deaths -5.2%
2006 253.27 deaths +0.2%
2007 266.26 deaths +5.1%
2008 270.58 deaths +1.6%
2009 275.04 deaths +1.6%
2010 280.99 deaths +2.2%
2011 279.26 deaths -0.6%
2012 275.56 deaths -1.3%
2013 280.15 deaths +1.7%
2014 285.77 deaths +2.0%
2015 298.19 deaths +4.3%
2016 305.41 deaths +2.4%
2017 302.82 deaths -0.8%
2018 304.14 deaths +0.4%
2019 317.08 deaths +4.3%
2020 326 deaths +2.8%
2021 334.48 deaths +2.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 8,671 deaths 252.82 deaths 29,582 deaths 10
2010s 292.94 deaths 275.56 deaths 317.08 deaths 10
2020s 330.24 deaths 326 deaths 334.48 deaths 2

Countries ranked near North Korea

  1. 60 Spain 414.43 deaths compare
  2. 61 Chile 363.77 deaths compare
  3. 62 Malaysia 339.37 deaths compare
  4. 64 Senegal 326.76 deaths compare
  5. 65 Laos 314.32 deaths compare
  6. 66 Russia 312.23 deaths compare

See the full ranking of 194 places →

More health data for North Korea

All data for North Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is deaths from malnutrition in North Korea?
Deaths from malnutrition in North Korea was 334.48 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest deaths from malnutrition recorded in North Korea?
The highest recorded value was 29,582 deaths in 2002.
What is the lowest deaths from malnutrition recorded in North Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 252.82 deaths in 2005.
How does North Korea rank for deaths from malnutrition?
North Korea ranks 63rd out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
Is deaths from malnutrition rising or falling in North Korea?
Over the last ten years it is up 19.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this North Korea data come from?
The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Deaths from malnutrition. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Deaths from malnutrition in North Korea. Statizoid, drawing on World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/deaths-from-malnutrition-ghe/korea-dem-people-s-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Deaths from malnutrition
Unit
deaths
Source
World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
194 places, 4,268 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed

Estimated number of deaths from protein-energy malnutrition in both sexes.