North Korea GDP Growth Rate (2026)
North Korea has a highly controlled and isolated economy centered on state industry, agriculture, mining, and limited trade. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+3.1%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#92
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
N/A
Previous-year data unavailable
Asia Rank
#29
Out of 49 countries
1. North Korea GDP Growth Rate in 2026
North Korean economic activity is influenced by agricultural output, industrial production, state investment, trade access, and external restrictions. Reliable economic information remains limited.
2. North Korea GDP Growth Rate Trends (2023–2026)
North Korea’s growth history has been shaped by centralized planning, limited international trade, sanctions, food shortages, and periodic external shocks. Economic performance is difficult to measure consistently.
3. North Korea GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +3.1% | 0.0 pp |
| 2023 | +3.1% | — |
4. North Korea GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+3.1%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+3.1%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+3.1%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.1%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy faces major constraints from isolation, restricted market access, limited investment, and infrastructure weaknesses. Informal and unofficial activity also plays an important role.
5. North Korea GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
North Korea
+3.1%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.5%
3.1%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
North Korea’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.7 pp
above the
Asia average
and
0.2 pp
above the world average.
6. North Korea GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #25 | Oman | +3.5% |
| #26 | Turkey | +3.4% |
| #27 | United Arab Emirates | +3.1% |
| #28 | Saudi Arabia | +3.1% |
| #29 | North Korea | +3.1% |
| #30 | Maldives | +3.0% |
| #31 | Afghanistan | +3.0% |
| #32 | Myanmar | +3.0% |
| #33 | Nepal | +3.0% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in North Korea
North Korea GDP (Nominal)
$16.4 Billion
(2026)
North Korea GDP Growth Rate
+3.1%
(2026)
North Korea generally underperforms more open East Asian economies because limited trade, technology access, and investment constrain productivity and development.
Explore more:
North Korea GDP
9. North Korea GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook remains highly uncertain and depends on trade access, agricultural conditions, policy changes, and geopolitical developments. Sanctions and limited economic transparency remain major constraints.
Forecast data is currently unavailable for
North Korea.
10. North Korea GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
North Korea GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.1% in 2026.
It ranks #92 globally and #29 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +3.1%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +3.1%.
The current rate is 0.7 percentage points above the Asia average.
The current rate is 0.2 percentage points above the world average.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. North Korea GDP Growth Rate FAQs
North Korea GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.1% in 2026.
North Korea ranks #92 globally and #29 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +3.1% in 2026.
GDP growth rate data for 2015 is currently unavailable.
North Korea GDP growth rate is 0.7 percentage points above the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.