MigrantoNorth Korean Diaspora
46.4K North Koreans live abroad — 0% of the population of North Korea
North Korean diaspora by country
The top 3 countries are home to 84% of the diaspora
| Country | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| Japan | 23696 |
| China | 9636 |
| Argentina | 5447 |
| Mali | 2322 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 1693 |
| Guinea | 1144 |
| Mongolia | 718 |
| Denmark | 328 |
| Russia | 172 |
| Gabon | 171 |
| South Africa | 161 |
| Tajikistan | 154 |
| Namibia | 110 |
| Portugal | 92 |
| Honduras | 63 |
| Belarus | 57 |
| Bulgaria | 51 |
| Costa Rica | 51 |
| Cambodia | 45 |
| Venezuela | 41 |
| Norway | 40 |
| Greece | 35 |
| Cyprus | 33 |
| Hungary | 20 |
| Luxembourg | 17 |
| Slovakia | 15 |
| Colombia | 13 |
| Bolivia | 11 |
| Ecuador | 10 |
| Latvia | 9 |
| Chile | 7 |
| Finland | 6 |
| Lithuania | 6 |
| Estonia | 3 |
| Sierra Leone | 2 |
| Iceland | 0 |
| Slovenia | 0 |
By region
77% of the diaspora lives in Asia
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Key facts
The North Korean diaspora in numbers
Most North Koreans abroad live in Japan
51% of the diaspora lives in Japan, while the next country accounts for just 21%.
The share of the diaspora living in Asia has grown since 1990
39.4% of the diaspora lived in Asia in 1990, compared with 77.5% today.
The map of the diaspora has changed since 1990
6 countries have entered the top 20 since 1990: Mali, Guinea, Portugal. Mali climbed from outside the top 20 to #4.
The diaspora is more concentrated than in 1990
The largest country's share rose from 31% to 51%, and today that country is Japan.
North Korean diaspora population over time
People living abroad, by year
| Year | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 31450 |
| 1995 | 33120 |
| 2000 | 34814 |
| 2005 | 39887 |
| 2010 | 49563 |
| 2015 | 56701 |
| 2020 | 50879 |
| 2024 | 46379 |
Largest communities over time
North Koreans living in the 5 largest countries, by year
| Year | Japan | China | Argentina | Mali | Kyrgyzstan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 9095 | 2191 | 4562 | 0 | 800 |
| 1995 | 11649 | 2619 | 4422 | 0 | 1058 |
| 2000 | 14431 | 3116 | 4310 | 0 | 1280 |
| 2005 | 17386 | 3709 | 4570 | 0 | 1654 |
| 2010 | 23177 | 4470 | 4994 | 1434 | 2017 |
| 2015 | 32937 | 6243 | 5163 | 1764 | 1777 |
| 2020 | 27629 | 8353 | 5318 | 2069 | 1729 |
| 2024 | 23696 | 9636 | 5447 | 2322 | 1693 |
Fastest-changing communities
How the number of North Koreans in each country has changed since the selected year
North Koreans among immigrants in other countries
Where North Koreans make up the largest share of a country's immigrants
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many North Koreans live outside North Korea?
Around 46.4K North Koreans live abroad, the world's #166 largest diaspora.
Where do most North Koreans abroad live?
Most North Koreans live in Japan, China and Argentina — these three countries account for about 84% of all North Koreans living abroad.
Which country has the largest North Korean population outside North Korea?
Japan is home to the largest North Korean community abroad — 23.7K people, about 51% of all North Koreans living abroad.
What share of the population of North Korea lives abroad?
About 0% of the population of North Korea lives abroad — that's 46.4K out of a total population of 26.5M.
Is the North Korean diaspora growing?
No — over the past decade, the number of North Koreans living abroad has fallen from 56.7K to 46.4K, about 18%.
Where does the data on the North Korean diaspora come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born in North Korea who now live in other countries. Descendants of emigrants born abroad are not included.
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Living in North Korea
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