Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 7.5 years longer

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Maldives, that number is 81 years (80 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2024.

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be 84.2% less likely to die by suicide

North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Maldives, it is 1.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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be 49.5% more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Maldives, that number is 17.9% of people as of 2024.

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have 38.4% fewer doctors per person

North Korea has 36.3 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2017. Maldives has 22.4 as of 2019.

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have 10.3% less access to essential health services

North Korea scores 68 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Maldives scores 61 as of 2021.

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Economy

be 27.4% more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Maldives, that number is 4.5% as of 2025.

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Life

be 52.2% less 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 Maldives, 32.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 64.7% 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 Maldives, on the other hand, 4.7 children do as of 2024.

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have 17.7% fewer children

In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Maldives, there are 10.6 babies per 1,000 people 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 Maldives, 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 74.2% less coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Maldives, that number is 644 km.

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Infrastructure

live with 43.5% less strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Maldives withdraws 16% as of 2022.

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Environment

be 66.3% less likely to die from air pollution

In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Maldives, it causes 29.0 as of 2019.

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emit 42.8% more CO2

North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Maldives emits 3.6 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2017–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook. How we calculate this

Compare further: North Korea vs. Maldives

Cost of Living Comparison · 4 categories - 2026 data
Maldives is 2.9 times more expensive than North Korea overall
→
Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 404 times bigger than Maldives.
→
Moving from North Korea to Maldives · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Maldives: At a glance

Maldives is a sovereign country in South Asia, with a total land area of approximately 298 sq km. A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, the president and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. President NASHEED faced a number of challenges including strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests following his sacking of a top judge, NASHEED resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. In mid-2012, a Commission of National Inquiry was set by the government to probe events leading up to NASHEED's resignation. Though the commission found no evidence of a coup, the report recommended the need to strengthen the country's democratic institutions to avert similar events in the future, and to further investigate alleged police misconduct during the crisis. Maldivian officials have played a prominent role in international climate change discussions (due to the islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise) on the UN Human Rights Council and in other international forums, as well as in encouraging regional cooperation, especially between India and Pakistan.
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