Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 4.2 years longer

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Colombia, that number is 78 years (75 years for men, 81 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. Colombia scores 80 as of 2021.

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be 46.7% less likely to die by suicide

North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Colombia, it is 5.0 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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be 2.1 times more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Colombia, that number is 24.9% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

be 2.3 times more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Colombia, that number is 8.3% as of 2025.

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Life

be 21.1% less 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 Colombia, on the other hand, 10.5 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 71.7% 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 Colombia, that number is 99% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 95% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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Geography

see 28.6% more coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Colombia, that number is 3,208 km.

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Infrastructure

live with 86.9% less strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Colombia withdraws 4% as of 2022.

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use 96.7% more electricity

North Korea uses 789 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Colombia uses 1,551 kWh as of 2024.

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Environment

be 72.1% less likely to die from air pollution

In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Colombia, it causes 24.0 as of 2019.

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emit 28.0% less CO2

North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Colombia emits 1.8 tonnes as of 2024.

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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. Colombia

Cost of Living Comparison · 4 categories - 2026 data
Colombia is 2.5 times more expensive than North Korea overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 9 times smaller than Colombia.
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Moving from North Korea to Colombia · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Colombia: At a glance

Colombia is a sovereign country in South America, with a total land area of approximately 1,038,700 sq km. Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A nearly five-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, but continue attacks against civilians. Large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. In November 2012, the Colombian Government started formal peace negotiations with the FARC aimed at reaching a definitive bilateral ceasefire and incorporating demobilized FARC members into mainstream society and politics. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.
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How big is Colombia compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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