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Topic 03 of 12 · Country Index 2026
North Korea: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
North Korea is placed 81st of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 79.24 (2025); Labour Income Share 38.55 (2025).
Work & Labour
81st
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 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 work & labour — 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 in that edition, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Why it is a key: How much of the working-age population is actually in work — the half of the picture unemployment hides, because people who stop looking stop being counted.
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
79.24
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
North Korea: 79.24. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 79.24 North Korea
- Land neighbours
- China 61.57 · South Korea 62.62 · Russia 59.81
Each grey tick is one of 182 countries in the 2025 edition.
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Why it is a key: The share of people looking for work who cannot find it.
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.545
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
North Korea: 3.545. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 2.347 Macau
- Land neighbours
- China 4.615 · South Korea 2.683 · Russia 2.133
Each grey tick is one of 182 countries in the 2025 edition.
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Why it is a key: How much work is own-account or unpaid family labour, carrying no contract and no protection.
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
56.77
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
North Korea: 56.77. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 3.326 Macau
- Land neighbours
- China 33.4 · South Korea 17.69 · Russia 4.931
Each grey tick is one of 182 countries in the 2025 edition.
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
North KoreaWorld median
North Korea rose from 79.21 in 2000 to 79.24 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year North Korea World median 2025 79.240 57.720 2024 79.255 57.694 2023 79.316 58.158 2022 79.309 57.688 2021 77.731 56.066 2020 77.697 55.691 2019 79.354 57.871 2018 79.377 56.911 2017 79.222 56.738 2016 79.089 56.845 2015 79.189 56.788 2014 79.172 56.774 2013 79.135 56.229 2012 79.165 56.289 2011 79.202 56.297 2010 79.287 56.212 2009 79.221 56.255 2008 79.197 57.308 2007 79.187 56.933 2006 79.155 56.685 2005 79.106 56.129 2004 79.125 55.465 2003 79.110 55.630 2002 79.150 55.843 2001 79.135 56.018 2000 79.208 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
North KoreaWorld median
North Korea fell from 38.79 in 2004 to 38.55 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year North Korea World median 2025 38.554 46.230 2024 38.610 46.060 2023 37.906 45.900 2022 38.797 45.615 2021 38.427 45.433 2020 39.152 47.267 2019 39.176 46.277 2018 40.252 46.187 2017 40.097 46.467 2016 38.352 46.798 2015 39.552 46.876 2014 39.035 47.281 2013 39.031 46.887 2012 38.977 46.231 2011 39.100 45.679 2010 39.401 46.024 2009 39.505 47.071 2008 38.550 45.312 2007 39.570 45.246 2006 39.530 45.670 2005 38.390 46.265 2004 38.792 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
North KoreaWorld median
North Korea fell from 3.653 in 2000 to 3.545 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year North Korea World median 2025 3.545 5.08 2024 3.539 5.15 2023 3.463 5.21 2022 3.457 5.34 2021 3.692 6.04 2020 3.624 6.38 2019 3.439 5.36 2018 3.409 5.35 2017 3.498 5.59 2016 3.574 5.90 2015 3.523 6.41 2014 3.509 6.58 2013 3.567 6.71 2012 3.542 6.79 2011 3.516 6.90 2010 3.419 7.04 2009 3.480 6.67 2008 3.480 5.79 2007 3.547 6.00 2006 3.550 6.50 2005 3.576 7.09 2004 3.620 6.80 2003 3.668 6.95 2002 3.644 6.91 2001 3.676 6.96 2000 3.653 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
North KoreaWorld median
North Korea fell from 57.04 in 2000 to 56.77 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year North Korea World median 2025 56.766 28.67 2024 56.840 29.04 2023 56.893 29.33 2022 56.989 29.67 2021 56.948 30.01 2020 57.510 30.54 2019 56.324 29.98 2018 56.292 30.15 2017 56.208 29.93 2016 56.183 29.91 2015 56.236 30.26 2014 56.218 30.47 2013 56.229 31.14 2012 56.247 31.00 2011 56.256 31.41 2010 56.259 32.37 2009 56.280 32.59 2008 56.315 31.76 2007 56.385 33.47 2006 56.433 34.27 2005 56.516 34.66 2004 56.661 35.51 2003 56.772 35.90 2002 56.882 35.96 2001 56.968 35.27 2000 57.036 35.67
03In context
North Korea beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
1st182ndNot placed · 42 countries with too few key statisticsNo data
North Korea and the countries it borders
The standing is each country’s place among all 182 placed on the topic; the other columns are the publishers’ own values, read at the edition the standing used.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Korea | 3rd | 62.62 | 58.68 | 2.683 | 17.69 |
 Russia | 13th | 59.81 | 48.31 | 2.133 | 4.931 |
 China | 60th | 61.57 | 51.23 | 4.615 | 33.4 |
| North Korea | 81st | 79.24 | 38.55 | 3.545 | 56.77 |
“—” means the publisher gives no reading for that country in that edition. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed.
Across Eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
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
9 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median3
Statistics on which North Korea does better than the middle country measured.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3677.7153.36No real change since 2015
North Korea: 77.71 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 6th of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6682.1561.66No real change since 2015
North Korea: 82.15 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 7th of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.837.89912.83▼ Worsened since 2015
North Korea: 7.899 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 134th of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = worst. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Behind the world median1
Statistics on which North Korea does worse than the middle country measured.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.161.3922.16No real change since 2015
North Korea: 1.39 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 181st of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
No better end5
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3854.0814.38Moved since 2015
North Korea: 54.08 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 19th of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, counted from the highest value. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8462.0531.84No real change since 2015
North Korea: 62.05 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 42nd of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, counted from the highest value. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8941.8438.89No real change since 2015
North Korea: 41.84 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 54th of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, counted from the highest value. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8822.4118.88Moved since 2015
North Korea: 22.41 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 61st of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, counted from the highest value. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5123.5159.51No real change since 2015
North Korea: 23.51 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 176th of 182 — derived here by ordering the published values, counted from the highest value. The publisher ranks no country on this.
No current reading for North Korea
Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Firms with a Female Top Manager, GDP per Person Employed, Informal Employment Rate, Public Sector Employment, Trade Union Density, Working Poverty Rate and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among North Korea’s 7 topics
Work & Labour is North Korea’s best-placed topic of 7. Strongest first; each marker sits at the position divided by that topic’s field, so fields of different sizes compare fairly.
- Work & Labour81st of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital100th of 1942/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing108th of 2012/4 keys
- Peace & Security139th of 1772/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 150th of 1913/3 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 181st of 1933/5 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties196th of 1983/3 keys
No standing on Economy & Innovation, Education & Knowledge, Environment & Sustainability, Gender & Equality, Mobility & Connectivity: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders North Korea can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysThis page
North Korea81st4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about North Korea and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
North Korea on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
North Korea is placed 81st of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for North Korea?
79.24 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for North Korea?
38.55 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does North Korea compare with China on work & labour?
China is placed 60th of 182, and North Korea 81st. Employment-to-Population Ratio: China 61.57, North Korea 79.24; Labour Income Share: China 51.23, North Korea 38.55; Unemployment Rate: China 4.615, North Korea 3.545; Vulnerable Employment: China 33.4, North Korea 56.77.
How have North Korea’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 79.21 in 2000 to 79.24 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 38.79 in 2004 to 38.55 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 3.653 in 2000 to 3.545 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 57.04 in 2000 to 56.77 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for North Korea?
No current reading is published for North Korea on Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Firms with a Female Top Manager, GDP per Person Employed, Informal Employment Rate, Public Sector Employment, Trade Union Density, Working Poverty Rate and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Keep reading
Explore further
North Korea, topic by topic
Nearby, on work & labour
The key statistics, for every country
10Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided, step by step
A standing is a place in a list, not a mark out of anything. This one is part of the Country Index 2026, and it is worked out like this.
- A few key indicators decide it; the rest are context. 4 indicators on this topic are keys and 18 are charted alongside them without a vote. That split is the point: if every statistic voted, importing five more of one kind would quietly change what the topic is about.
- Each key is read at one edition. All of them describe 2025.
- Every country’s published value is turned into a place within that one key’s own field, and then expressed as a share of that field — how far down this key’s list the country sits, rather than how many countries are above it. Keys where a higher published number is worse (terrorism, hunger, disaster risk) are turned round first, so the good end is always the same end.
- Dividing by the field first is the whole reason this works. A place carries the size of its list inside it: 22nd of 44 and 108th of 215 are the same showing, and averaging the numbers 22 and 108 says loudly that they are not. Fields on this site run from about 44 countries to about 215, so averaging raw places would reward a country for happening to be measured in small ones. Dividing each place by its own field removes the size and leaves only the showing.
- The shares are averaged, plainly. One key, one vote — no key is weighted above another, because any weighting would be this site’s opinion presented as a measurement. Countries are then put in order by that average, and the average itself is never published. It is our arithmetic with nothing anchoring it, so printing it would invite it to be read as a measurement somebody made. The position it produces, the band, and the keys it was built from are all published instead — every one of them checkable against the tables on this page.
- A country needs 2 of this topic’s 4 keys — half, rounded up, and never fewer than 2. A standing built from one reading, printed beside one built from four, is two different things sharing a column heading. 182 countries clear the bar here.
- A key has to earn its vote every edition. It must measure at least 120 countries (below that it starts measuring who was surveyed rather than the world), it must not have more than 10% of its field tied at either end, and it must not repeat another key in the same topic — Spearman correlation above 0.92 counts as repeating. A topic needs at least 2 surviving keys to place anyone at all; this one has 4.
- A standing is relative, and the grouping is ours. It says where a country places against the others measured alongside it, so it moves when they move. The publishers listed on this page did not agree to be read together, and each measures its subject its own way: the underlying numbers are theirs, the ordering on top is this site’s — the same method as the rest of the Country Index, applied to one subject instead of all of them.
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 9 statistics on this page come from 1 publisher, 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.
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). North Korea: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/north-korea/work