Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Voice and Accountability
Voice and Accountability VA.EST
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's voice and accountability was -1.85 in 2025, ranked 199th globally. This represents a 6.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's voice and accountability stood at -1.85 in 2025, a rise of +0.13 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.85 by 2025. Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of ranked 199th globally.
North Korea’s Voice and Accountability score, a composite measure of citizens’ ability to express opinions and participate in public affairs, has shown only marginal improvement over the 26‑year series, moving from a low of –2.31 in 2006 to –1.85 in 2025, the highest figure recorded for the country and placing it 199th out of 199 economies. The 2025 value of –1.85 represents both the latest reading and the all‑time peak, yet it remains well below the peer benchmark set by Belarus, which scores –1.83, highlighting the persistence of severe restrictions on free expression, media independence and civil society. Despite a modest upward drift since the trough, the index remains among the world’s most restrictive, comparable to Afghanistan’s –2.40 and Myanmar’s –2.56. Continued exposure to external information channels, incremental legal reforms, or shifts in the regime’s tolerance for dissent could alter this trajectory, potentially nudging the score upward in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Voice and Accountability | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -1.79 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -1.85 | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.85 | +0.13 | #199 |
| 2023 | -1.98 | +0.04 | #199 |
| 2022 | -2.02 | +0.04 | #201 |
| 2021 | -2.06 | +0.09 | #201 |
| 2020 | -2.16 | +0.05 | #201 |
| 2019 | -2.21 | +0.00 | #201 |
| 2018 | -2.21 | −0.01 | #200 |
| 2017 | -2.20 | −0.02 | #199 |
| 2016 | -2.18 | +0.02 | #199 |
| 2015 | -2.20 | −0.01 | #198 |
| 2014 | -2.19 | +0.06 | #198 |
| 2013 | -2.25 | −0.01 | #203 |
| 2012 | -2.24 | +0.00 | #202 |
| 2011 | -2.24 | −0.01 | #203 |
| 2010 | -2.23 | +0.04 | #202 |
Analysis
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's voice and accountability was -1.85 in 2025, a rise of +0.13 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated -1.85 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's voice and accountability was -1.85 in 2025. Ranked 199th globally. This represents a 6.5% increase from the previous year.
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's voice and accountability peaked at -1.85 in 2025.
The lowest voice and accountability in Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of was -2.31 in 2006.
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of ranks 199th globally in voice and accountability as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is VA.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's voice and accountability is projected to reach -1.85 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The voice and accountability of Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of in 2025 was -1.85. This ranks 199th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea-democratic-people-s-republic-of_voice-accountability,
title = {Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Voice and Accountability},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea-democratic-people-s-republic-of/voice-accountability/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}