Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Central African Republic instead of North Korea, you would:

Health

live 16.1 years less

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Central African Republic, that number is 58 years (56 years for men, 60 years for women) as of 2024.

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have 52.9% less access to essential health services

North Korea scores 68 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Central African Republic scores 32 as of 2021.

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Economy

be 76.6% more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Central African Republic, that number is 6.2% as of 2025.

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Life

have 3.6 times more children

In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Central African Republic, there are 46.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 10.3 times 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 Central African Republic, 692.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 4.4 times 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 Central African Republic, on the other hand, 58.8 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 69.4% less 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 Central African Republic, that number is 18% of people on average (37% in urban areas, and 2% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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be 61.1% less likely to have access to drinking water

In North Korea, approximately 94% of people have access to drinking water (97% in urban areas, and 89% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Central African Republic, that number is 36% of people on average (48% in urban areas, and 27% in rural areas) as of 2024.

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Infrastructure

live with 98.8% less strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Central African Republic withdraws 0% as of 2022.

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Environment

emit 97.6% less CO2

North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Central African Republic emits 0.1 tonnes as of 2024.

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be 14.0% more likely to die from air pollution

In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Central African Republic, it causes 98.0 as of 2019.

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Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021). How we calculate this

Compare further: North Korea vs. Central African Republic

Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 5 times smaller than Central African Republic.
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Moving from North Korea to Central African Republic · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Central African Republic: At a glance

Central African Republic is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 622,984 sq km. The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. In March, 2003 President Ange-Felix PATASSE was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Elections held in 2005 affirmed General BOZIZE as president; he was reelected in 2011 in voting widely viewed as flawed. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. The militant group the Lord's Resistance Army continues to destabilize southeastern Central African Republic, and several rebel groups joined together in early December 2012 to launch a series of attacks that left them in control of numerous towns in the northern and central parts of the country. The rebels - who are unhappy with BOZIZE's government - participated in peace talks in early January 2013 which resulted in a coalition government including the rebellion's leadership. In March 2013, the coalition government dissolved, rebels seized the capital, and President BOZIZE fled the country. Rebel leader Michel DJOTODIA assumed the presidency, reappointed Nicolas TIANGAYE as Prime Minister, and established a transitional government on 31 March. On 13 April 2013, the National Transitional Council affirmed DJOTODIA as President.
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How big is Central African Republic compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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