Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Niger instead of North Korea, you would:
Health
be 43.3% less likely to be obese
In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Niger, that number is 6.8% of people as of 2024.
be 51.9% less likely to die by suicide
North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Niger, it is 4.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.
live 12.3 years less
In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Niger, that number is 61 years (60 years for men, 62 years for women) as of 2024.
have 48.5% less access to essential health services
North Korea scores 68 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Niger scores 35 as of 2021.
Economy
be 89.0% less likely to be unemployed
In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Niger, that number is 0.4% as of 2025.
Life
have 3.2 times more children
In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Niger, there are 41.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
be 5.2 times more 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 Niger, 350.0 women do as of 2023.
be 4.9 times 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 Niger, on the other hand, 65.6 children do as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 65.0% less 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 Niger, that number is 20% of people on average (67% in urban areas, and 10% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 43.1% less likely to have access to drinking water
In North Korea, approximately 94% of people have access to drinking water (97% in urban areas, and 89% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Niger, that number is 53% of people on average (87% in urban areas, and 46% in rural areas) as of 2024.
Infrastructure
live with 60.3% less strain on fresh water
North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Niger withdraws 11% as of 2022.
use 91.4% less electricity
North Korea uses 789 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Niger uses 68 kWh as of 2023.
Environment
emit 95.2% less CO2
North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Niger emits 0.1 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), World Health Organization (2024), United Nations SDG Indicators (2021). How we calculate this
Compare further: North Korea vs. Niger
Niger: At a glance
How big is Niger compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.