North Korea Rate of Natural Increase

North Korea’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate—has been modest in recent years, estimated at around 0.4% to 0.6% annually. This is lower than many developing countries, reflecting both declining fertility rates and a relatively stable mortality rate. In contrast, South Korea’s RNI is extremely low and even negative, as it faces ultra-low birth rates and an aging population, leading to population decline. Meanwhile, China, North Korea’s other major neighbor, also has a very low or near-zero RNI due to decades of family planning policies and recent demographic shifts. In comparison, North Korea’s population is still growing, albeit slowly, while its neighbors are experiencing stagnation or decline, highlighting a unique demographic situation shaped by different social, economic, and political factors.

Data from US Census International Database