Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 2.3 years longer

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Brazil, that number is 76 years (73 years for men, 79 years for women) as of 2024.

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have 17.6% more access to essential health services

North Korea scores 68 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Brazil scores 80 as of 2021.

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be 18.5% less likely to die by suicide

North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Brazil, it is 7.6 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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be 2.5 times more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Brazil, that number is 30.1% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

be 68.6% more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Brazil, that number is 6.0% as of 2025.

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Basic Needs

be 73.6% 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 Brazil, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 99% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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Geography

see 3.0 times more coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Brazil, that number is 7,491 km.

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Infrastructure

live with 94.6% less strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Brazil withdraws 2% as of 2022.

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use 3.9 times more electricity

North Korea uses 789 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Brazil uses 3,068 kWh as of 2024.

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Environment

be 73.3% less likely to die from air pollution

In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Brazil, it causes 23.0 as of 2019.

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Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook. How we calculate this

Compare further: North Korea vs. Brazil

Cost of Living Comparison · 4 categories - 2026 data
Brazil is 53.2% more expensive than North Korea overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 71 times smaller than Brazil.
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Moving from North Korea to Brazil · UN DESA 2020
182 people born in North Korea live in Brazil.
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Brazil: At a glance

Brazil is a sovereign country in South America, with a total land area of approximately 8,358,140 sq km. Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than a half century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader, one of the first in the area to begin an economic recovery. High income inequality and crime remain pressing problems, as well as recent years' slow down in economic growth.
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How big is Brazil compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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