Difference in male and female life expectancy in North Korea
North Korea: Difference in male and female life expectancy was 3.93 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Difference in male and female life expectancy in North Korea, 1950–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2023, difference in male and female life expectancy in North Korea stood at 3.93.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.5% on the previous year and down 16.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, difference in male and female life expectancy in North Korea peaked at 21.53 in 1951 and was at its lowest, 2.76, in 1954.
North Korea ranks 171st 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.
Difference in male and female life expectancy in North Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 20.75 | — |
| 1951 | 21.53 | +3.7% |
| 1952 | 17.57 | -18.4% |
| 1953 | 12.79 | -27.2% |
| 1954 | 2.76 | -78.4% |
| 1955 | 2.82 | +2.3% |
| 1956 | 2.88 | +2.1% |
| 1957 | 2.94 | +2.0% |
| 1958 | 2.96 | +0.7% |
| 1959 | 3.02 | +1.9% |
| 1960 | 3.07 | +1.7% |
| 1961 | 3.14 | +2.5% |
| 1962 | 3.19 | +1.5% |
| 1963 | 3.24 | +1.6% |
| 1964 | 3.28 | +1.3% |
| 1965 | 3.32 | +1.2% |
| 1966 | 3.37 | +1.4% |
| 1967 | 3.42 | +1.5% |
| 1968 | 3.47 | +1.7% |
| 1969 | 3.53 | +1.6% |
| 1970 | 3.61 | +2.2% |
| 1971 | 3.68 | +2.1% |
| 1972 | 3.76 | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 3.82 | +1.6% |
| 1974 | 3.93 | +2.8% |
| 1975 | 4.02 | +2.2% |
| 1976 | 4.13 | +2.9% |
| 1977 | 4.18 | +1.1% |
| 1978 | 4.26 | +1.9% |
| 1979 | 4.31 | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 4.39 | +1.9% |
| 1981 | 4.45 | +1.3% |
| 1982 | 4.51 | +1.4% |
| 1983 | 4.57 | +1.4% |
| 1984 | 4.63 | +1.2% |
| 1985 | 4.69 | +1.3% |
| 1986 | 4.74 | +1.1% |
| 1987 | 4.8 | +1.3% |
| 1988 | 4.83 | +0.7% |
| 1989 | 4.89 | +1.1% |
| 1990 | 4.94 | +1.1% |
| 1991 | 5 | +1.2% |
| 1992 | 5.67 | +13.4% |
| 1993 | 6.22 | +9.6% |
| 1994 | 6.78 | +9.0% |
| 1995 | 6.38 | -5.9% |
| 1996 | 6.44 | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 6.47 | +0.4% |
| 1998 | 6.51 | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 6.55 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 6.58 | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 6.61 | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 6.63 | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 7.06 | +6.6% |
| 2004 | 7.12 | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 7.16 | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 7.18 | +0.3% |
| 2007 | 7.01 | -2.4% |
| 2008 | 6.7 | -4.4% |
| 2009 | 6.23 | -7.0% |
| 2010 | 5.78 | -7.2% |
| 2011 | 5.38 | -7.1% |
| 2012 | 5.01 | -6.8% |
| 2013 | 4.7 | -6.2% |
| 2014 | 4.3 | -8.5% |
| 2015 | 4.17 | -3.0% |
| 2016 | 4.29 | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 4.66 | +8.6% |
| 2018 | 5.01 | +7.5% |
| 2019 | 5.51 | +10.0% |
| 2020 | 5.44 | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 3.86 | -29.1% |
| 2022 | 3.91 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 3.93 | +0.5% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 3.93 is above the median for low income countries, which is 3.69, 1.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 3.93 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.7, 84% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Difference in male and female life expectancy in North Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | -78.4% | 12.79 | 2.76 |
| 2021 | -29.1% | 5.44 | 3.86 |
| 1953 | -27.2% | 17.57 | 12.79 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 9 | 2.76 | 21.53 | 10 |
| 1960s | 3.3 | 3.07 | 3.53 | 10 |
| 1970s | 3.97 | 3.61 | 4.31 | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.65 | 4.39 | 4.89 | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.1 | 4.94 | 6.78 | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.83 | 6.23 | 7.18 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.88 | 4.17 | 5.78 | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.28 | 3.86 | 5.44 | 4 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More health data for North Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.16 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 767 (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2456 % change on previous year (2090)
- Diphtheria - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2022)
- Measles - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Diphtheria - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2022)
- Population ages 15-64, total, annual growth rate -0.1528 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, total, per capita 0.6836 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, per capita 0.073 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per capita 0.015 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is difference in male and female life expectancy in North Korea?
- Difference in male and female life expectancy in North Korea was 3.93 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest difference in male and female life expectancy recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 21.53 in 1951.
- What is the lowest difference in male and female life expectancy recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.76 in 1954.
- How does North Korea rank for difference in male and female life expectancy?
- North Korea ranks 171st out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is difference in male and female life expectancy rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Difference in male and female life expectancy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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