MigrantoImmigrants in North Korea
48.2K foreigners live in North Korea — 0% of the country's population
Immigrants in North Korea by country
The 3 largest groups make up 80% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| China | 29771 |
| South Korea | 5574 |
| Philippines | 3044 |
| Brazil | 2892 |
| Indonesia | 1470 |
| USA | 1068 |
| Vietnam | 780 |
| Thailand | 584 |
| Peru | 543 |
| India | 377 |
| Canada | 343 |
| United Kingdom | 315 |
| Japan | 218 |
| Australia | 208 |
| Malaysia | 202 |
| Pakistan | 175 |
| Hong Kong | 169 |
| Sri Lanka | 157 |
| Bangladesh | 156 |
| Russia | 149 |
By region of origin
89% of immigrants come from Asia
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Key facts
Immigrants in North Korea in numbers
Chinese are the largest group by a wide margin
62% of all immigrants were born in China, while the next group accounts for just 12%.
Immigrant population in North Korea over time
Foreigners living in North Korea, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 31012 |
| 1995 | 31613 |
| 2000 | 32202 |
| 2005 | 37144 |
| 2010 | 42072 |
| 2015 | 46325 |
| 2020 | 47345 |
| 2024 | 48195 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in North Korea, by year
| Year | Chinese | South Koreans | Filipinos | Brazilians | Indonesians |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 19668 | 5873 | 1116 | 479 | 845 |
| 1995 | 19590 | 5201 | 1444 | 1140 | 904 |
| 2000 | 19511 | 4528 | 1771 | 1801 | 963 |
| 2005 | 22740 | 4697 | 2214 | 2163 | 1124 |
| 2010 | 25969 | 4866 | 2656 | 2525 | 1284 |
| 2015 | 28594 | 5358 | 2925 | 2780 | 1414 |
| 2020 | 29248 | 5477 | 2990 | 2841 | 1444 |
| 2024 | 29771 | 5574 | 3044 | 2892 | 1470 |
Fastest-changing groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in North Korea?
Around 48.2K immigrants live in North Korea — the world's #160 largest immigrant population.
What percentage of the population of North Korea are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 0% of the population of North Korea — that's 48.2K out of a total population of 26.5M.
Where do most immigrants in North Korea come from?
Most immigrants in North Korea come from China, South Korea and Philippines — these three countries account for about 80% of all immigrants.
How many Chinese live in North Korea?
Around 29.8K Chinese live in North Korea — about 62% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in North Korea growing?
Barely — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in North Korea has changed from 46.3K to 48.2K, about 4%.
Where does the data on immigrants in North Korea come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in North Korea. Their children born in North Korea are not included.
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Living in North Korea
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