Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 6.5 years longer

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Oman, that number is 80 years (79 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2024.

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be 90.2% less likely to die by suicide

North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Oman, it is 0.9 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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be 2.5 times more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 11.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Oman, that number is 30.5% of people as of 2024.

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Life

be 80.6% 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 Oman, 13.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 37.6% 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 Oman, on the other hand, 8.3 children do as of 2024.

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have 30.5% more children

In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Oman, there are 16.8 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 Oman, 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 16.2% less coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Oman, that number is 2,092 km.

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Infrastructure

use 10.4 times more electricity

North Korea uses 789 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Oman uses 8,203 kWh as of 2023.

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live with 4.2 times more strain on fresh water

North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Oman withdraws 117% as of 2022.

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Environment

be 20.9% more likely to die from air pollution

In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Oman, it causes 104.0 as of 2019.

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emit 7.5 times more CO2

North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Oman emits 18.6 tonnes as of 2024.

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

Compare further: North Korea vs. Oman

Cost of Living Comparison · 4 categories - 2026 data
Oman is 2.2 times more expensive than North Korea overall
→
Size Comparison · See true size
North Korea is about 2.6 times smaller than Oman.
→
Moving from North Korea to Oman · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
→

Oman: At a glance

Oman is a sovereign country in Middle East, with a total land area of approximately 309,500 sq km. The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and he has since ruled as sultan. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis began staging marches, demonstrations, and sit-ins calling mostly for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and introducing unemployment benefits. Additionally, in August 2012, the Sultan announced a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the Sultan in 2011, the municipal councils will have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates.
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How big is Oman compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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