Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 1.8 years longer

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Morocco, that number is 75 years (73 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2024.

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be 68.7% less likely to die by suicide

North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Morocco, it is 2.9 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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be 80.4% more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Morocco, that number is 21.6% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

be 2.5 times more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Morocco, that number is 9.0% as of 2025.

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Life

have 27.5% more children

In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Morocco, there are 16.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 10.5% 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 Morocco, on the other hand, 14.7 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 Morocco, 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 26.5% less coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Morocco, that number is 1,835 km.

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Infrastructure

use 26.5% more electricity

North Korea uses 789 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Morocco uses 997 kWh as of 2023.

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live with 82.9% more strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Morocco withdraws 51% as of 2022.

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Environment

be 31.4% less likely to die from air pollution

In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Morocco, it causes 59.0 as of 2019.

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emit 26.4% less CO2

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

Cost of Living Comparison · 4 categories - 2026 data
Morocco is 12.7% more expensive than North Korea overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 3.7 times smaller than Morocco.
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Moving from North Korea to Morocco · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
→

Morocco: At a glance

Morocco is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 446,300 sq km. In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch's grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Although Morocco is not the UN-recognized Administering Power for the Western Sahara, it exercises de facto administrative control over 80% of the territory. The UN since 1991 has monitored a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and leads ongoing negotiations over the status of the territory. King MOHAMMED VI in early 2011 responded to the spread of pro-democracy protests in the region by implementing a reform program that included a new constitution, passed by popular referendum in July 2011, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. In November 2012, the Justice and Development Party - a moderate Islamist party - won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government.
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