Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
North Korea: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
North Korea is placed joint 121st of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 2.36 (2024); Water Stress 27.74 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
joint121st
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 4 key statistics
Not placed in the Country Index 2026 overall: measured on too few topics.
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place North Korea on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
2.36
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
North Korea: 2.36. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 1.467 Macau
- Land neighbours
- China 8.658 · South Korea 11.29 · Russia 12.29
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
27.74
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
North Korea: 27.74. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 4.97 Mongolia
- Land neighbours
- China 41.59 · South Korea 85.22 · Russia 4.16
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
FAO publishes no 2024 figure for North Korea, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 2.61 Taiwan
- Land neighbours
- China 0.92 · South Korea 2.42 · Russia 0.05
No reading
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Global Footprint Network publishes no 2025 figure for North Korea, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 3.757 China
- Land neighbours
- China 3.757 · South Korea 5.106 · Russia 5.393
02Over time
Which way North Korea is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
North KoreaWorld median
North Korea fell from 2.923 in 2000 to 2.36 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year North Korea World median 2024 2.36 3.210 2023 2.35 3.145 2022 2.14 3.162 2021 2.06 3.087 2020 2.51 2.903 2019 2.67 3.273 2018 2.41 3.036 2017 2.70 3.049 2016 1.33 2.894 2015 1.22 2.846 2014 1.56 2.919 2013 1.43 2.779 2012 1.85 2.770 2011 1.91 2.748 2010 2.62 2.812 2009 2.72 2.799 2008 2.84 2.979 2007 2.58 2.593 2006 3.11 2.865 2005 3.07 2.885 2004 2.96 2.802 2003 2.91 2.918 2002 2.87 2.785 2001 3.01 2.726 2000 2.92 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
North KoreaWorld median
North Korea rose from 27.41 in 2000 to 27.74 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year North Korea World median 2023 27.74 10.000 2022 27.74 10.190 2021 27.74 10.460 2020 27.74 10.460 2019 27.74 10.890 2018 27.74 10.460 2017 27.74 10.460 2016 27.74 10.460 2015 27.74 10.190 2014 27.74 10.460 2013 27.74 10.460 2012 27.74 10.460 2011 27.74 10.460 2010 27.74 10.710 2009 27.74 10.960 2008 27.74 10.815 2007 27.74 11.180 2006 27.74 10.430 2005 27.74 10.250 2004 27.67 10.715 2003 27.61 10.370 2002 27.54 10.180 2001 27.48 10.130 2000 27.41 10.070
03In context
North Korea beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
North Korea and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Korea | =121st | 2.36 | 27.74 | — | — |
 China | 157th | 8.658 | 41.59 | 0.92 | 3.757 |
 Russia | =166th | 12.29 | 4.16 | 0.05 | 5.393 |
 South Koreacompare | 170th | 11.29 | 85.22 | 2.42 | 5.106 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below North Korea in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where North Korea is ahead of the world, and behind
36 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which North Korea does better than the middle country measured.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.143.673.14▼ Worsened since 2015
North Korea: 3.67 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 45th of 186 · derived.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.150▲ Improved since 2015
North Korea: 0.15 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5650.981.565▲ Improved since 2013
North Korea: 0.98 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 140th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0663.3632.06▼ Worsened since 2014
North Korea: 63.36 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 46th of 162 · derived.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3263.3637.32▼ Worsened since 2014
North Korea: 63.36 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 55th of 162 · derived.
Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75340.59433.75▼ Worsened since 2014
North Korea: 340.59 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.
Position 98th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,5282,5452,528No real change since 2012
North Korea: 2,545 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 90th of 181 · derived.
Behind the world median11
Statistics on which North Korea does worse than the middle country measured.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6632.3221.663No earlier reading
North Korea: 2.322 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1812.6918.18No real change since 2015
North Korea: 12.69 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4443.3347.44No real change since 2014
North Korea: 43.33 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 124th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4522.614.45No real change since 2013
North Korea: 22.6 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 63rd of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2790.6275.279▼ Worsened since 2014
North Korea: 0.627 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.5130.45▼ Worsened since 2014
North Korea: 0.513 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 148th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.1711.74.17No real change since 2015
North Korea: 11.7 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 43rd of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 56.95No earlier reading
North Korea: 6.9 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 35th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 034.060No real change since 2014
North Korea: 34.06 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.11.6516.1▼ Worsened since 2013
North Korea: 1.65 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.73816.812.738No real change since 2014
North Korea: 16.81 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
No better end18
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4742.2611.474Moved since 2015
North Korea: 2.261 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,375291,06552,375No real change since 2014
North Korea: 291,065 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0849.5531.08No real change since 2013
North Korea: 49.55 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 54th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5253,250525No earlier reading
North Korea: 3,250 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1476.3562.14No real change since 2012
North Korea: 76.35 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 57th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69728.04325.69Moved since 2015
North Korea: 728.04 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9544.8922.954No real change since 1990
North Korea: 4.892 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2781,352,806689,278No real change since 2013
North Korea: 1,352,806 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 68th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7759,5173,775Moved since 2015
North Korea: 9,517 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.570.535No real change since 2013
North Korea: 0.57 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 87th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.1430.144Moved since 2014
North Korea: 0.143 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,82410,58313,824Moved since 2015
North Korea: 10,583 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,6356,3668,635Moved since 2013
North Korea: 6,366 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 115th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.0870.109Moved since 2013
North Korea: 0.087 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 121st of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6319.2137.63Moved since 2013
North Korea: 19.21 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9621.5537.96No real change since 2013
North Korea: 21.55 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 145th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0490.6273.049Moved since 2014
North Korea: 0.627 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.3614.6887.36Moved since 2013
North Korea: 14.68 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 152nd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for North Korea
Adjusted Net Savings, Agricultural Irrigated Land, Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Ecological Footprint, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Mangrove Area, Meat Supply per Person (last 2018), Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Operating Wind Power Capacity, Organic Agricultural Area, Pesticide Use per Hectare, Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP), Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among North Korea’s 10 topics
Environment & Sustainability is North Korea’s 7th best-placed topic of 10. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Food & Agriculture49th of 1842/4 keys
- Energy51st of 1652/3 keys
- Work & Labour81st of 1824/4 keys
- Peace & Security94th of 1773/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing115th of 2003/4 keys
- Digital & Technology119th of 1983/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 121st of 1862/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience147th of 1933/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 191st of 1943/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties196th of 1983/4 keys
No standing on Economy & Innovation, Education & Knowledge, Development & Human Capital, Gender & Equality, Mobility & Trade, Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders North Korea can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Palestine24th2/4 keysHighest in Eastern Asia
North Korea=121st2/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
North Korea on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does North Korea rank on environment & sustainability?
North Korea is placed joint 121st of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita and Water Stress). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for North Korea?
2.36 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for North Korea?
27.74 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does North Korea compare with China on environment & sustainability?
China is placed 157th of 186, and North Korea joint 121st. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: China 8.658, North Korea 2.36; Water Stress: China 41.59, North Korea 27.74.
How have North Korea’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita fell from 2.923 in 2000 to 2.36 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 27.41 in 2000 to 27.74 in 2023.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for North Korea?
No current reading is published for North Korea on Adjusted Net Savings, Agricultural Irrigated Land, Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Ecological Footprint, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Mangrove Area, Meat Supply per Person, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Operating Wind Power Capacity, Organic Agricultural Area, Pesticide Use per Hectare, Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP), Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 36 statistics on this page come from 13 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
North Korea’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). North Korea: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/north-korea/environment