Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Life Expectancy

North Korea’s life expectancy has risen steadily over the 65‑year span from 55.81 in 1960 to an all‑time peak of 74.20 in 2025, placing the country at rank 110 globally. The improvement of 18.39 years reflects gradual gains in public health, nutrition and disease control, albeit lagging behind many peers; for example, Vietnam recorded a slightly higher figure of 74.52 in the same year while Georgia stood at 74.11. The early post‑war period marked the trough, when limited medical infrastructure and recurring famines constrained longevity. Subsequent decades saw incremental advances, with the most pronounced gains occurring after the 1990s when modest reforms expanded basic health services. Despite the progress, the current level remains below the regional average for East Asian economies, suggesting that further investment in healthcare quality, maternal‑child programs and chronic disease management will be essential to sustain upward momentum and narrow the gap with higher‑ranking peers.