Physicians (per 1,000 people) in North Korea
North Korea: Physicians (per 1,000 people) was 3.63 per 1,000 people in 2017. ▲ Rising
Latest (2017)
3.63 per 1,000 people
Change on year
down 0.5%
World rank
40th
of 194 countries
All-time high
3.65 per 1,000 people
in 2016
All-time low
2.51 per 1,000 people
in 1983
Years of data
9
1982–2017
Physicians in North Korea, 1982–2017
Source: Global Health Workforce Statistics, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in per 1,000 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for physicians in North Korea is 3.63 per 1,000 people, measured in 2017.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.5% on the previous year and up 12.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, physicians in North Korea peaked at 3.65 per 1,000 people in 2016 and was at its lowest, 2.51 per 1,000 people, in 1983.
North Korea ranks 40th of 194 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Physicians (per 1,000 people) in North Korea, year by year
| Year | per 1,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 2.55 per 1,000 people | — |
| 1983 | 2.51 per 1,000 people | -1.5% |
| 1995 | 2.97 per 1,000 people | +18.3% |
| 2003 | 3.1 per 1,000 people | +4.3% |
| 2008 | 3.23 per 1,000 people | +4.2% |
| 2012 | 3.39 per 1,000 people | +5.0% |
| 2014 | 3.45 per 1,000 people | +1.8% |
| 2016 | 3.65 per 1,000 people | +5.6% |
| 2017 | 3.63 per 1,000 people | -0.5% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 3.63 per 1,000 people is above the median for low income countries, which is 0.1455 per 1,000 people, 24.9× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 3.63 per 1,000 people is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.06 per 1,000 people, 3.4× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2.53 per 1,000 people | 2.51 per 1,000 people | 2.55 per 1,000 people | 2 |
| 1990s | 2.97 per 1,000 people | 2.97 per 1,000 people | 2.97 per 1,000 people | 1 |
| 2000s | 3.16 per 1,000 people | 3.1 per 1,000 people | 3.23 per 1,000 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 3.53 per 1,000 people | 3.39 per 1,000 people | 3.65 per 1,000 people | 4 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
- 37 Kazakhstan 3.75 per 1,000 people compare
- 38 Slovakia 3.7 per 1,000 people compare
- 39 United States 3.68 per 1,000 people compare
- 41 Romania 3.62 per 1,000 people compare
- 42 New Zealand 3.61 per 1,000 people compare
- 43 Finland 3.61 per 1,000 people 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 physicians in North Korea?
- Physicians in North Korea was 3.63 per 1,000 people in 2017, according to Global Health Workforce Statistics, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest physicians recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 3.65 per 1,000 people in 2016.
- What is the lowest physicians recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.51 per 1,000 people in 1983.
- How does North Korea rank for physicians?
- North Korea ranks 40th out of 194 countries with data for 2017.
- Is physicians rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Global Health Workforce Statistics, World Health Organization (WHO), published as part of Physicians (per 1,000 people). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.