Country Risk Profile · Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index

North Korea

Country Profile

Population

26,498,823

Global avg: 41.5M

Area

120,540 km²

Global avg: 714,913 km²

Population Density

220 /km²

World: 58 /km²

GDP (Nominal)

—

Global avg: $569.2B

GDP per Capita

—

World: $13,684

Sustainable Competitiveness

Overall GSCI Rank

#146

of 193 countries

Overall Score

40.8

65% of best score · 24th percentile

vs. Global Average

-4.5 lower

Global average: 45.4

2026 Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index Performance

Overall competitiveness score (high score → lower risk)

Rank 146 / 193
025507510040.8North Korea62.9Global best45.4Global average(Sweden)

10-year change (2015–2025)

+0.5

vs global trend

10-year outlook (projection)

+6.1

Sustainable Competitiveness Dimensions for North Korea

How North Korea compares to the global best and global average across the six GSCI dimensions.

Natural Capital

Rank 72 / 193
025507510053.4North Korea66.4Global best49.9Global average

Resource Efficiency

Rank 151 / 193
025507510041.4North Korea60.8Global best46.6Global average

Social Capital

Rank 131 / 193
025507510040.9North Korea62.0Global best45.0Global average

Intellectual Capital

Rank 100 / 193
025507510037.8North Korea79.7Global best40.4Global average

Economic Sustainability

Rank 137 / 193
025507510037.8North Korea61.2Global best42.0Global average

Governance

Rank 162 / 193
025507510033.7North Korea75.1Global best48.3Global average
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Key figures and GSCI 2026 results for North Korea

North Korea ranks 146th of 193 countries in the GSCI 2026, with a score of 40.8. This is 65% of the best score (Sweden, 62.9) and places North Korea in the 24th percentile, 4.5 points below the global average of 45.4.
North Korea performs best in Natural Capital (72nd) and Intellectual Capital (100th), and weakest in Governance (162nd) and Resource Efficiency (151st). Its ranks in the other dimensions: Social Capital 131st, Economic Sustainability 137th.
North Korea's GSCI score has improved by 0.5 points over the past ten years (2015–2025). Based on recent trends, the 10-year outlook is positive (+6.1 points).
North Korea has a population of 26.5 million, 36% below the average country (41.5 million), and a population density of 220 people per km², 3.8 times the world average (58).
The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures the sustainable competitiveness of 193 countries across six dimensions: Natural Capital, Resource Efficiency, Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, Economic Sustainability and Governance. It is based on 296 quantitative indicators from sources such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the IMF, with no surveys or opinions.

Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index

Browse the full GSCI: 193 countries ranked across six structural dimensions of sustainable competitiveness, built on 296 quantitative indicators from the World Bank, UN, IMF, IEA, and other recognised data providers.

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About the GSCI methodology

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index ranks 193 countries across six structural dimensions. Scores are derived from 200+ quantitative indicators sourced from the World Bank, UN, IMF, IEA, and other recognised data providers.

Read the full methodology

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