
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia with a land area of approximately 120,538 sq km. In comparison, Australia, a country in the Southern Hemisphere, spans approximately 7,741,220 sq km, making it 6,322% larger than North Korea or about 56 times bigger. This vast difference in size is reflected in their populations, with North Korea home to around 26 million people and Australia hosting approximately 26.1 million.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land Area | North Korea: 120,538 km2 (46,540 sq mi) Australia: 7,692,024 km2 (2,969,907 sq mi) Australia is approximately 63 times bigger than North Korea |
| Water (%) | North Korea: 10.3 Australia: 0.85 |
| Coastline | North Korea: 2,495 km (1,550 mi) Australia: 25,760 km (16,006 mi) |
| Population | North Korea: 25.78 million (2022) Australia: 26.19 million (2022) Australia has a slightly higher population. |
| Population Density | North Korea: 213 people per km2 (551.6 people per sq mi) Australia: 3.4 people per km2 (8.8 people per sq mi) North Korea has a much higher population density. |
| Capital City | North Korea: Pyongyang Australia: Canberra |
| Largest City | North Korea: Pyongyang Australia: Sydney |
| Form of Government | North Korea: Juche-oriented socialist state, one-party dictatorship Australia: Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Currency | North Korea: North Korean Won (KPW) Australia: Australian Dollar (AUD) |
| GDP (nominal) | North Korea: $40 billion (2015) Australia: $1.73 trillion (2022) |
| GDP per capita | North Korea: $1,563 (2015) Australia: $64,590 (2022) |
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What You'll Learn

North Korea is 6,322% smaller than Australia
Australia is a massive country, and when compared to North Korea, its size becomes even more apparent. North Korea is only 46,540 square miles in area, while Australia spans 2,969,907 square miles. This means that North Korea is a minuscule fraction of the size of Australia—to be precise, it is 6,322% smaller. To put that into perspective, if you imagine Australia as a whole pizza, North Korea would be just one small slice, or even a tiny sliver. The sheer difference in size is remarkable.
Now, let's visualize this in another way. If we were to superimpose North Korea onto a map of Australia, it would barely cover a small corner. North Korea could fit into Australia a total of seven times, with a significant amount of Australian territory still remaining. The land area of North Korea is comparable to the single state of Victoria in Australia, which itself is only one of the smaller states, comprising roughly 3% of the entire country.
The population distribution also varies greatly between the two countries. North Korea has a population of approximately 25.7 million people, whereas Australia is home to around 25.5 million. Despite having a similar number of inhabitants, the population density differs drastically due to the disparity in land area. North Korea has a density of 551 people per square mile, whereas Australia has a much lower density of 8.6 people per square mile.
When it comes to geographical features, North Korea is mostly mountainous, with a heavily forested interior. The country experiences distinct seasons, with cold, dry winters and hot, humid summers. In contrast, Australia boasts an incredibly diverse landscape, from tropical rainforests and vast deserts to picturesque beaches and rugged mountain ranges. The Australian climate varies greatly, with the north experiencing a tropical climate, and the south having temperate weather.
In summary, the size difference between North Korea and Australia is vast, with North Korea being over sixty times smaller. This disparity is evident when comparing their land areas, population distribution, and geographical features. While North Korea may have a similar population to Australia, its small size means that it is a much more densely populated country. This comparison highlights the significant variations in the physical dimensions of countries around the world.
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North Korea's population is 26 million
North Korea is a country located in East Asia, with a total land area of approximately 120,538 sq km. In comparison, Australia, a country in Oceania, is much larger, with a land area of around 7,741,220 sq km, making it over 6,300% larger than North Korea.
Despite the significant difference in size, the population of North Korea is estimated to be around 26 million people, which is only slightly less than Australia's population of approximately 26.1 million. This means that North Korea has a much higher population density, with around 221 people per square kilometre compared to Australia's 3.3 people per square kilometre.
The demographics of North Korea are determined through national censuses and international estimates. The most recent census conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics of North Korea was in 2008, when the population reached 24 million. There is speculation that figures given to the United Nations may have been distorted, and accurate data on various aspects such as household registration, migration, births, and deaths are available to the North Korean authorities.
The median age of North Korea's population is around 36.5 years, with a gender ratio of approximately 0.95 males to 1.00 female as of 2014. The population is largely urban, with 63.29% living in urban areas as of 2025.
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Australia's life expectancy is 12 years higher
North Korea is approximately 120,538 sq km in size, while Australia is approximately 7,741,220 sq km, making Australia over 63 times larger than North Korea. However, North Korea has a slightly higher population, with around 26 million people compared to Australia's 26.1 million. Despite their similar population sizes, there is a significant difference in life expectancy between the two countries. Australia has a life expectancy at birth of 82.07 years, while North Korea's life expectancy is 69.81, meaning Australians can expect to live around 12 years longer on average.
Several factors contribute to this disparity in life expectancy. One key influence is economic status, which has a direct impact on health and indirect effects on nutrition, hygiene, health resources, and other factors. Australia, as a developed country, generally enjoys a higher standard of living and better access to healthcare, contributing to longer life expectancy. In contrast, North Korea has faced economic crises since the 1990s, with a significant portion of its population living below the poverty line. This has likely impacted their access to quality healthcare and nutrition, affecting overall life expectancy.
Additionally, North Korea's focus on military spending has diverted resources away from public health and social services. An estimated 25% of the nation's GDP goes into military programs, impacting the availability of funds for healthcare and social development. The country also experiences food shortages, which has led to nutrition deficiencies and impacted the health of its citizens. While steps have been taken to address these issues, such as providing Vitamin A supplements to children, the deficiencies have contributed to lower life expectancy.
Furthermore, historical events have played a role in North Korea's life expectancy. The collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s led to an economic decline and a devastating famine in North Korea, causing a significant drop in life expectancy. The country also faces challenges in infant mortality, with higher rates compared to Australia, impacting the overall life expectancy. In contrast, Australia's stable economy and advanced healthcare system contribute to longer life expectancy, with lower infant mortality rates and improved access to medical care.
The difference in life expectancy between Australia and North Korea highlights the complex interplay between economic factors, healthcare infrastructure, and social policies in determining the overall health and longevity of a population. While Australia's higher life expectancy indicates better overall health outcomes, North Korea's lower life expectancy underscores the impact of economic struggles, limited healthcare access, and food shortages on a nation's well-being. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving the health and longevity of North Korea's population.
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North Korea's electricity consumption is lower
North Korea is approximately 120,538 sq km in size, while Australia is approximately 7,741,220 sq km, making North Korea 1.56% the size of Australia, or 6,322% smaller than Australia.
In 2022, North Korea's electricity generation was primarily from low-carbon sources, with hydropower accounting for 62% of the total. Fossil fuels, mainly coal, contributed about 37%, highlighting an area where North Korea could improve to reduce environmental impacts. The country has also explored other renewable energy sources, with an estimated 55% of North Korean households using solar panels in 2019. However, North Korea's reliance on hydropower leads to shortages in winter when there is little rainfall and ice blocks the flow of rivers.
North Korea has considered investing in nuclear facilities to enhance its clean energy portfolio, as seen in countries like France and Slovakia, which derive a significant portion of their electricity from nuclear power. Additionally, North Korea could explore wind energy, with countries like Denmark achieving over 50% of their electricity generation from wind power.
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North Korea's birth rate is higher
North Korea is approximately 120,538 sq km in size, while Australia is approximately 7,741,220 sq km, making Australia over 63 times larger than North Korea. In terms of population, North Korea has around 26 million people, while Australia has about 186,000 more people.
Now, onto the topic of North Korea's birth rate:
North Korea's birth rate has been a subject of discussion, with conflicting assessments about its population trends. While UN estimates suggest a slow decline, some researchers indicate a more rapid drop in fertility rates. According to a study by Lee and Kim, North Korea's total fertility rate decreased from 1.91 in the 1990s to 1.38 in the 2010s. This is still higher than South Korea's fertility rate of 1.15 during the same period. The downward trend in North Korea's fertility rate has raised concerns about its potential impact on the country's economy, particularly the labor supply and market activities.
Despite the declining birth rate, North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has appealed to women to increase the country's population by having more children. This is in contrast to South Korea, which has the lowest fertility rate in the world, standing at 0.72. The South Korean government has allocated significant resources to address the issue, including establishing a new ministry and implementing various initiatives with limited success.
The decline in birth rates in both North and South Korea has been attributed to various factors, including shifting cultural norms, economic inequality, high costs of living, low wages, and lack of job opportunities. However, the impact of low birth rates is more pronounced in North Korea's labor-intensive industries, and it remains to be seen what measures the country will take to address this issue.
In summary, while North Korea's birth rate is higher than that of South Korea, it has been on a downward trend, and the potential implications for the country's economy and society are significant.
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Frequently asked questions
North Korea is approximately 120,538 sq km, while Australia is approximately 7,741,220 sq km. This makes Australia about 63 times bigger than North Korea.
North Korea has a population of around 26 million people, while Australia has a population of approximately 26.1 million people. This means that Australia has about 186,000 more people than North Korea.
North Korea is the 99th largest country in the world by area.





























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