Unemployment rate: North Korea
3.545% in 2025, the latest year published. Figures for 35 years from 1991 to 2025 are below.
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Source and method · All countries and regions.
Every year
| Year | Value (%) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.545 |
| 2024 | 3.539 |
| 2023 | 3.463 |
| 2022 | 3.457 |
| 2021 | 3.692 |
| 2020 | 3.624 |
| 2019 | 3.439 |
| 2018 | 3.409 |
| 2017 | 3.498 |
| 2016 | 3.574 |
| 2015 | 3.523 |
| 2014 | 3.509 |
| 2013 | 3.567 |
| 2012 | 3.542 |
| 2011 | 3.516 |
| 2010 | 3.419 |
| 2009 | 3.48 |
| 2008 | 3.48 |
| 2007 | 3.547 |
| 2006 | 3.55 |
| 2005 | 3.576 |
| 2004 | 3.62 |
| 2003 | 3.668 |
| 2002 | 3.644 |
| 2001 | 3.676 |
| 2000 | 3.653 |
| 1999 | 3.67 |
| 1998 | 3.461 |
| 1997 | 3.253 |
| 1996 | 3.153 |
| 1995 | 3.114 |
| 1994 | 3.092 |
| 1993 | 2.98 |
| 1992 | 2.875 |
| 1991 | 2.845 |