Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Internet Users

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has reported an internet‑user share of 0.00 percent for the most recent year available, 2012, placing it at the bottom of the global ranking (200th) and marking both the all‑time peak and trough at the same level over the 17‑year coverage span that begins in 1990. This static figure contrasts sharply with the modest but measurable penetration observed in peer states such as Eritrea (0.80 percent), Niger (1.05 percent) and Burundi (1.22 percent), all of which recorded non‑zero usage in the same year. The absence of any upward movement suggests that domestic policy, infrastructure constraints and limited external connectivity have effectively frozen digital access throughout the period. Should the regime relax restrictions, invest in broadband infrastructure, or permit greater international bandwidth, the trajectory could shift upward, potentially aligning the country with the low‑single‑digit rates now seen among its regional counterparts.