North Korea: capital, population, area and flag
North Korea is a country in Eastern Asia (Asia). Its capital is Pyongyang. The population is about 26.6M (#56 of 193) and the area is about 120,540 km² (#98 of 193).
Key facts
- Capital
- Pyongyang
- Region
- Asia / Eastern Asia
- Population
- 26,571,036 (2025) #56 of 193
- Total area
- 120,540 km² (2024) #98 of 193
- Population density
- 220.1 people/km² (2024) #47 of 193
- Life expectancy
- 73.7 years (2024) #98 of 193
- Distance from Japan
- 1,285 km #191 of 192
- Area compared with Japan
- about 1/3 that of Japan
- Population compared with Japan
- about 1/5 that of Japan
- Main languages
- Korean
- Currency
- North Korean Won (KPW)
- Calling code
- +850
- Time zone (capital)
- UTC+9
- Time difference from Japan (standard time)
- Same time as Japan
- Driving side
- Right
- Capital location
- 39.02°N 125.75°E
Population of North Korea, 1950–2100 (Japanese)
See past estimates, future projections and the population pyramid in the World Population Time Machine.
Map of North Korea
Capital: Pyongyang
North Korea: in the world’s top 10 for food & farming
North Korea ranks among the world’s top 10 for these crops, animals, seafood and farm products (latest FAO data).
Neighbors by land
Top rankings
North Korea is in the top 10 for:
North Korea in world rankings
How North Korea compares with other countries, indicator by indicator. Click an indicator to see the full ranking.
Questions about North Korea
What is the capital of North Korea?
The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang.
What is the population of North Korea?
North Korea has a population of about 26.6M (2025), #56 of 193 among countries.
How big is North Korea?
North Korea covers about 120,540 km², #98 of 193 among countries.
Which continent is North Korea in?
North Korea is in Asia, in the region of Eastern Asia.
What currency and languages are used in North Korea?
The currency is the North Korean Won. Main languages: Korean.
How does North Korea compare with Japan in size and population?
The area of North Korea is about 1/3 that of Japan, and its population is about 1/5 that of Japan.
How far is North Korea from Japan?
The capital, Pyongyang, is about 1,285 km from Tokyo, the capital of Japan, in a straight line.
What is the time difference between North Korea and Japan?
The capital, Pyongyang, is on UTC+9 in standard time: Same time as Japan.
More countries in Eastern Asia
Play with North Korea
Test what you learned in the quiz.