Labor force, total in North Korea was reported at 17637357 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Labor force, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2023, the labor force participation rate in South Korea was 64.3 percent, compared to 68.4 percent in North Korea. Over the past decade, North Korea's labor force participation rate has been higher than South Korea's.

Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in North Korea was reported at 81.72 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (modeled ILO estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 80.467 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 80.481 % for 2016. North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 81.643 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 83.005 % in 1994 and a record low of 80.467 % in 2017. North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

North Korea labor force participation rate for 2024 was 78.24%, a 0.04% increase from 2023.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>North Korea labor force participation rate for 2023 was <strong>78.21%</strong>, a <strong>0.07% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>North Korea labor force participation rate for 2022 was <strong>78.27%</strong>, a <strong>1.73% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>North Korea labor force participation rate for 2021 was <strong>76.54%</strong>, a <strong>0.09% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.

Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in North Korea was reported at 89.58 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Ratio of female to male labor participation rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on April of 2025.

KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15-64 data was reported at 90.174 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 90.273 % for 2016. KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 90.352 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 90.849 % in 1996 and a record low of 88.942 % in 1990. KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

North Korea KP: Labour Force data was reported at 16,282,869.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 16,155,974.000 Person for 2016. North Korea KP: Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 14,441,965.500 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,282,869.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 12,187,042.000 Person in 1990. North Korea KP: Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.; ; Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database and World Bank population estimates. Labor data retrieved in September 2018.; Sum; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in North Korea was reported at 7.409 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in North Korea was reported at 2.859 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: Aged 15-24 data was reported at 73.701 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 73.783 % for 2016. North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 74.538 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 78.185 % in 1994 and a record low of 73.701 % in 2017. North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in North Korea was reported at 77.69 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Labor participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in North Korea was reported at 2.967 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Unemployment, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24 data was reported at 74.599 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 74.693 % for 2016. North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 75.706 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 78.909 % in 1993 and a record low of 74.599 % in 2017. North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 74.412 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 74.439 % for 2016. North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 75.671 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.705 % in 1990 and a record low of 74.412 % in 2017. North Korea KP: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in North Korea was reported at 2.758 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Unemployment, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

The Asia-Pacific region shows significant variations in labor force participation rates (LFPR) among the population aged 15 to 64 years, with North Korea’s LFPR estimated at 89 percent and Afghanistan’s at about 38 percent in 2024. This stark contrast highlights the diverse economic and social landscapes across the region, influencing workforce engagement. Regional trends and forecasts APAC’s rapidly aging population is putting growing pressure on the labor market, with projections showing a declining labor force participation rate across the region between 2023 and 2050. East Asia, where demographic changes are most pronounced, is expected to see a significant decline in LFPR among those aged 15 to 54 years, while participation among those over 54 years is projected to rise notably during this period. In contrast, South Asia is the only sub-region anticipated to record a modest increase in participation rates for the 25-54 years age group, highlighting a regional divergence in labor force trends Youth engagement in the labor force The labor force participation rates among youth populations vary greatly across Asia-Pacific countries, reflecting diverse economic conditions, education systems, and social factors. For example, North Korea and Australia boast high youth labor force participation rates of more than 70 percent for those aged 15 to 24 years, while South Korea's rate for the same age group is considerably lower at around 27 percent. In Australia, strong labor market access for students and abundant part-time work opportunities could enable high youth engagement alongside education. Meanwhile, South Korea's strong societal focus on academic achievement and the pursuit of higher education qualifications often leads to prolonged periods of education, which delays young people's entry into the workforce. Moreover, many APAC countries have high NEET (not in education, employment, or training) rates, particularly those in South Asia, underscoring challenges such as skills mismatches and limited job opportunities.

North Korea youth unemployment rate for 2024 was 6.76%, a 0.11% increase from 2023.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>North Korea youth unemployment rate for 2023 was <strong>6.65%</strong>, a <strong>0.06% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>North Korea youth unemployment rate for 2022 was <strong>6.59%</strong>, a <strong>0.47% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>North Korea youth unemployment rate for 2021 was <strong>7.06%</strong>, a <strong>0.36% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.

North Korea KP: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 13.139 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.321 % for 2016. North Korea KP: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 12.981 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20.243 % in 1992 and a record low of 12.515 % in 1999. North Korea KP: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Armed forces personnel (% of total labor force) in North Korea was reported at 8.5911 % in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Armed forces personnel - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.