North Korea

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for North Korea
Published: 2026

Region: East Asia
Capital: Pyongyang
Currency: North Korean Won (KPW)
Density: 209 / km²

WRI Score 2026

24.55

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 211th
In Asia: 36th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 38%· KPMG / EY
24.8
Among the highest top marginal rates on this list.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 209 / km²· UN WPP
31.9
Densely populated relative to land area.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $640· IMF WEO 2026
1.0
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 70.3 years· WHO / UN
41.8
Below-average life expectancy.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.001 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
1.0
Minimal recorded inbound tourism.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 25%· ILO / SECO
1.0
Among the highest unemployment rates on this list.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 15% of GDP· SIPRI
1.0
Among the highest defence-spending ratios on this list.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
29.3
Among the weakest safety and rule-of-law composites on this list.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

North Korea holds 211th of 211 with a WRI Score of 24.55 — holds one of the lowest positions in the index. Its strength lies in ideological neutrality (96) and life expectancy (41.8); military posture remains its clearest structural constraint.