Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

be 68.1% less likely to die by suicide

North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Iraq, it is 3.0 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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live 1.3 years less

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Iraq, that number is 72 years (70 years for men, 74 years for women) as of 2024.

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be 3.3 times more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Iraq, that number is 39.7% of people as of 2024.

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have 13.2% less access to essential health services

North Korea scores 68 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Iraq scores 59 as of 2021.

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Economy

be 4.4 times more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Iraq, that number is 15.5% as of 2025.

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Life

have 98.9% more children

In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Iraq, there are 25.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 51.1% 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 Iraq, on the other hand, 20.1 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 73.9% 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 Iraq, 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 97.7% less coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Iraq, that number is 58 km.

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Infrastructure

use 74.7% more electricity

North Korea uses 789 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Iraq uses 1,377 kWh as of 2023.

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live with 2.1 times more strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Iraq withdraws 60% as of 2022.

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Environment

emit 2.1 times more CO2

North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Iraq emits 5.2 tonnes as of 2024.

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

Compare further: North Korea vs. Iraq

Cost of Living Comparison · 4 categories - 2026 data
Iraq is 26.8% more expensive than North Korea overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 3.6 times smaller than Iraq.
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Moving from North Korea to Iraq · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Iraq: At a glance

Iraq is a sovereign country in Middle East, with a total land area of approximately 437,367 sq km. Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. US forces remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate through 2009 and under a bilateral security agreement thereafter, helping to provide security and to train and mentor Iraqi security forces. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR) in December 2005. The COR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. In January 2009 and April 2013, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all governorates except for the three governorates comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and Kirkuk Governorate. Iraq held a national legislative election in March 2010 - choosing 325 legislators in an expanded COR - and, after nine months of deadlock the COR approved the new government in December 2010. Nearly nine years after the start of the Second Gulf War in Iraq, US military operations there ended in mid-December 2011.
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How big is Iraq compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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