Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Bangladesh instead of North Korea, you would:

Health

live 1.2 years longer

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Bangladesh, that number is 75 years (73 years for men, 77 years for women) as of 2024.

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be 51.9% less likely to be obese

In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Bangladesh, that number is 5.8% of people as of 2024.

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be 69.8% less likely to die by suicide

North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Bangladesh, it is 2.8 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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have 23.5% less access to essential health services

North Korea scores 68 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Bangladesh scores 52 as of 2021.

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Life

have 55.4% more children

In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Bangladesh, there are 20.0 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 71.6% more likely to die during childbirth

In North Korea, approximately 67.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Bangladesh, 115.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 83.5% more likely to die during infancy

In North Korea, approximately 13.3 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Bangladesh, on the other hand, 24.4 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 73.0% more likely to have access to electricity

In North Korea, approximately 58% of people have electricity access (36% in urban areas, and 11% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Bangladesh, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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Geography

see 76.8% less coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Bangladesh, that number is 580 km.

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Infrastructure

live with 79.4% less strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Bangladesh withdraws 6% as of 2022.

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use 23.5% less electricity

North Korea uses 789 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Bangladesh uses 603 kWh as of 2023.

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Environment

be 23.3% less likely to die from air pollution

In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Bangladesh, it causes 66.0 as of 2019.

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emit 71.2% less CO2

North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Bangladesh emits 0.7 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2021–2024), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook. How we calculate this

Compare further: North Korea vs. Bangladesh

Cost of Living Comparison · 4 categories - 2026 data
Bangladesh is 48.3% cheaper than North Korea overall
→
Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 1.2 times smaller than Bangladesh.
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Moving from North Korea to Bangladesh · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
→

Bangladesh: At a glance

Bangladesh is a sovereign country in South Asia, with a total land area of approximately 130,170 sq km. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region now referred to as Bangladesh began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won independence for Bangladesh in a brief war in 1971, during which at least 300,000 civilians died. The post-independence, AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections in 1991. The BNP and AL have alternately held power since then, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted, extending HASINA's term as prime minister. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has made great progress in food security since independence, and the economy has grown at an average of about 6 percent over the last two decades.
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How big is Bangladesh compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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