Infant mortality rates (Our World) in North Korea
North Korea: Infant mortality rates (Our World) was 1.45 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Infant mortality rates in North Korea, 1950–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for infant mortality rates in North Korea is 1.45, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 1.5% on the previous year and down 24.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, infant mortality rates in North Korea peaked at 24.12 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 1.41, in 2020.
That places North Korea 88th out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Infant mortality rates (Our World) in North Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 24.12 | — |
| 1951 | 21.31 | -11.7% |
| 1952 | 15.24 | -28.5% |
| 1953 | 13.2 | -13.4% |
| 1954 | 11.13 | -15.7% |
| 1955 | 10.42 | -6.4% |
| 1956 | 9.79 | -6.0% |
| 1957 | 9.26 | -5.4% |
| 1958 | 8.82 | -4.7% |
| 1959 | 8.47 | -4.0% |
| 1960 | 8.18 | -3.4% |
| 1961 | 7.93 | -3.1% |
| 1962 | 7.69 | -3.0% |
| 1963 | 7.44 | -3.3% |
| 1964 | 7.17 | -3.6% |
| 1965 | 6.87 | -4.1% |
| 1966 | 6.56 | -4.6% |
| 1967 | 6.23 | -5.0% |
| 1968 | 5.89 | -5.4% |
| 1969 | 5.57 | -5.5% |
| 1970 | 5.26 | -5.5% |
| 1971 | 4.98 | -5.4% |
| 1972 | 4.72 | -5.2% |
| 1973 | 4.48 | -5.0% |
| 1974 | 4.27 | -4.8% |
| 1975 | 4.07 | -4.6% |
| 1976 | 3.89 | -4.4% |
| 1977 | 3.73 | -4.2% |
| 1978 | 3.57 | -4.1% |
| 1979 | 3.43 | -4.0% |
| 1980 | 3.3 | -3.8% |
| 1981 | 3.18 | -3.6% |
| 1982 | 3.07 | -3.3% |
| 1983 | 2.99 | -2.8% |
| 1984 | 2.93 | -2.0% |
| 1985 | 2.9 | -1.0% |
| 1986 | 2.9 | +0.2% |
| 1987 | 2.96 | +2.1% |
| 1988 | 3.02 | +1.8% |
| 1989 | 3.1 | +2.9% |
| 1990 | 3.2 | +2.9% |
| 1991 | 3.27 | +2.4% |
| 1992 | 3.32 | +1.5% |
| 1993 | 3.34 | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 3.33 | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 6.43 | +93.3% |
| 1996 | 6.34 | -1.4% |
| 1997 | 6.23 | -1.6% |
| 1998 | 6.14 | -1.5% |
| 1999 | 6.04 | -1.6% |
| 2000 | 5.94 | -1.6% |
| 2001 | 5.86 | -1.4% |
| 2002 | 5.77 | -1.5% |
| 2003 | 2.73 | -52.7% |
| 2004 | 2.68 | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 2.63 | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 2.59 | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 2.56 | -1.4% |
| 2008 | 2.47 | -3.5% |
| 2009 | 2.39 | -3.3% |
| 2010 | 2.29 | -4.2% |
| 2011 | 2.17 | -4.9% |
| 2012 | 2.06 | -5.5% |
| 2013 | 1.93 | -5.9% |
| 2014 | 1.82 | -5.9% |
| 2015 | 1.72 | -5.5% |
| 2016 | 1.65 | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 1.54 | -6.4% |
| 2018 | 1.48 | -3.9% |
| 2019 | 1.43 | -3.5% |
| 2020 | 1.41 | -1.4% |
| 2021 | 1.41 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 1.43 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 1.45 | +1.5% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 1.45 is below the median for low income countries, which is 4.5, 32% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 1.45 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.31, 1.1× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Infant mortality rates (Our World) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +93.3% | 3.33 | 6.43 |
| 2003 | -52.7% | 5.77 | 2.73 |
| 1952 | -28.5% | 21.31 | 15.24 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 13.17 | 8.47 | 24.12 | 10 |
| 1960s | 6.95 | 5.57 | 8.18 | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.24 | 3.43 | 5.26 | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.04 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.76 | 3.2 | 6.43 | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.56 | 2.39 | 5.94 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.81 | 1.43 | 2.29 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.43 | 1.41 | 1.45 | 4 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
- 85 Azerbaijan 1.49 compare
- 86 Vanuatu 1.48 compare
- 87 Egypt 1.46 compare
- 89 Solomon Islands 1.45 compare
- 90 Saint Lucia 1.44 compare
- 91 Morocco 1.43 compare
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)
- Population ages 15-64, total, annual growth rate -0.1528 % change on previous year (2025)
- Diphtheria - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2022)
- 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 infant mortality rates in North Korea?
- Infant mortality rates in North Korea was 1.45 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest infant mortality rates recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 24.12 in 1950.
- What is the lowest infant mortality rates recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.41 in 2020.
- How does North Korea rank for infant mortality rates?
- North Korea ranks 88th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is infant mortality rates rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.8%. 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 Infant mortality rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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