North Korea

1950

2025

2100

1950

2025

2100

Net emigration of 2,787 people per year—more people leaving than arriving.

Since 1950, North Korea has lost a cumulative 781,750 people through migration.

By 2100, projections show continued net emigration.

Net migrants

-2,787

Net migration rate

-0.1 per 1,000 people

Key terms

Net migration: — Immigrants minus emigrants. Positive = more people arriving, negative = more leaving.
Net migration rate: — Net migration per 1,000 population per year.
Immigration: — People entering the country from abroad.
Emigration: — People leaving the country to live abroad.

Migration flows

Net migration from 1950 to 2100 (projections after 2024)

Net migrants

-993,377

Cumulative over selected range

Peak immigration

Top year: 1958

Peak emigration

-191,305

Lowest year: 1950

Recent avg (10 yrs)

-2144

Per year

North Korea loses approximately 2,787 people per year to emigration (0.1 per 1,000 population).

Migration flows in North Korea are relatively modest.

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Historical estimates (1950–2024) and medium-variant projections (2025–2100).