> > World Population >> Asia >> East Asia
North Korea Population and religion percentage
North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. According to UN World Population estimates, North Korea’s population in 2026 is 26,387,425 or 26 million, with slow growth due to a fertility rate of 1.9 and high economic challenges.
read about top countries in Asia by population
location of North Korea on Map
| North Korea | 2026 Estimates |
| Total Population | 26,387,425 |
| Global Rank | 56 |
| Land Area | 120,410 sq. Km (46,491 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank | 97 |
| Pop. Density | 219 people/sq. km |
| Growth rate | 0.27% |
| Fertility Rate* of North Korea | 1.77 |
| Infant mortality rate ** in North Korea | 11.2 |
| Median Age | 36.3 Years |
| Life Expectancy | 74 years |
| Urban Population | 63.5% |
Source: UN World Population Prospects
Religion in North Korea
Officially, North Korea is an atheist state and 64.30% of the population is irreligious and doesn’t affiliate with any particular religion. Out of the religious population 16% practice Korean shamanism and 13.50% practice Chondoism.
Chondoism (Heavenly Way) is an indigenous syncretic belief combining Korean shamanism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholicism elements. Among world religions 4.5% are Buddhist, and 2% are Christians. Other religions and faiths have negligible followers.
Religion percentage in North Korea
| Religion | Percentage |
| Non-religious | 64.3% |
| Korean shamanism | 16% |
| Chondoism | 13.5% |
| Korean Buddhism | 4.5% |
| Christianity | 1.7% |
Source: Census estimates
read about the Buddhist population in World
Largest Cities in North Korea by Population
| # | City | Provision | Population |
| 1 | Pyongyang | Pyongyang Capital City | 32,55,288 |
| 2 | Hamhung | South Hamgyong | 7,68,551 |
| 3 | Chongjin | North Hamgyong | 6,67,929 |
| 4 | Nampo | South Pyongan Province | 3,66,815 |
| 5 | Wonsan | Kangwon | 3,63,127 |
| 6 | Sinuiju | North Pyongan | 3,59,341 |
| 7 | Tanchon | South Hamgyong | 3,45,875 |
| 8 | Kaechon | South Pyongan | 3,19,554 |
| 9 | Kaesong | North Hwanghae | 3,08,440 |
| 10 | Sariwon | North Hwanghae | 3,07,764 |
| 11 | Sunchon | South Pyongan | 2,97,317 |
| 12 | Pyongsong | South Pyongan | 2,84,386 |
| 13 | Haeju | South Hwanghae | 2,73,300 |
| 14 | Kanggye | Chagang | 2,51,971 |
| 15 | Anju | South Pyongan | 2,40,117 |
| 16 | Tokchon | South Pyongan | 2,37,133 |
| 17 | Kimchaek | North Hamgyong | 2,07,299 |
| 18 | Rason | Rason Special Economic Zone | 1,96,954 |
| 19 | Kusong | North Pyongan | 1,96,515 |
| 20 | Hyesan | Ryanggang | 1,92,680 |
*Fertility rate, average number of children born to women during their reproductive years.
**Infant mortality rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 live births of children under one year of age.