Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in North Korea
North Korea: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 47.0% in 2018. ▲ Rising
Prevalence of undernourishment in North Korea, 2001–2018
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in North Korea is 47.0%, measured in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.1% on the previous year and up 16.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in North Korea peaked at 47.5% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 32.9%, in 2003.
North Korea ranks 3rd of 171 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 18 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in North Korea, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 35.9% | — |
| 2002 | 35.2% | -1.9% |
| 2003 | 32.9% | -6.5% |
| 2004 | 33.2% | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 34.5% | +3.9% |
| 2006 | 37.0% | +7.2% |
| 2007 | 39.1% | +5.7% |
| 2008 | 40.5% | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 42.0% | +3.7% |
| 2010 | 42.9% | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 43.4% | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 43.7% | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 43.7% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 44.5% | +1.8% |
| 2015 | 45.2% | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 46.0% | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 47.5% | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 47.0% | -1.1% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 47.0% is above the median for low income countries, which is 23.6%, 2.0× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 47.0% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.3%, 10.8× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 36.7% | 32.9% | 42.0% | 9 |
| 2010s | 44.9% | 42.9% | 47.5% | 9 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More health data for North Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 767 (2100)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.16 % change on previous year (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)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in North Korea?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in North Korea was 47.0% in 2018, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 47.5% in 2017.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 32.9% in 2003.
- How does North Korea rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- North Korea ranks 3rd out of 171 countries with data for 2018.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.