Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

be 76.2% more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Mauritius, that number is 21.1% of people as of 2024.

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be 13.0% more likely to die by suicide

North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Mauritius, it is 10.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Economy

be 59.0% more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Mauritius, that number is 5.6% as of 2025.

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Life

have 19.9% fewer children

In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Mauritius, there are 10.3 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 Mauritius, 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 92.9% less coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Mauritius, that number is 177 km.

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Infrastructure

live with 17.2% less strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Mauritius withdraws 23% as of 2022.

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use 3.1 times more electricity

North Korea uses 789 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Mauritius uses 2,465 kWh as of 2023.

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Environment

be 67.4% less likely to die from air pollution

In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Mauritius, it causes 28.0 as of 2019.

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emit 41.6% more CO2

North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Mauritius emits 3.5 tonnes as of 2024.

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

Compare further: North Korea vs. Mauritius

Cost of Living Comparison · 4 categories - 2026 data
Mauritius is 75.9% more expensive than North Korea overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 59 times bigger than Mauritius.
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Moving from North Korea to Mauritius · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Mauritius: At a glance

Mauritius is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 2,030 sq km. Although known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, Mauritius was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch - who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU - in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane. The British captured the island in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signals intelligence. Independence from the UK was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes.
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How big is Mauritius compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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