Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Zambia instead of North Korea, you would:
Health
be 23.4% less likely to die by suicide
North Korea has a suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Zambia, it is 7.1 per 100,000 as of 2021.
live 7.2 years less
In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024. In Zambia, that number is 67 years (64 years for men, 69 years for women) as of 2024.
have 17.6% less access to essential health services
North Korea scores 68 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Zambia scores 56 as of 2021.
Economy
be 67.2% more likely to be unemployed
In North Korea, 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Zambia, that number is 5.9% as of 2025.
Life
have 2.5 times more children
In North Korea, there are approximately 12.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Zambia, there are 32.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
be 26.9% 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 Zambia, 85.0 women do as of 2023.
be 2.6 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 Zambia, on the other hand, 34.6 children do as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 11.1% 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 Zambia, that number is 51% of people on average (90% in urban areas, and 18% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 21.8% 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 Zambia, that number is 73% of people on average (90% in urban areas, and 58% in rural areas) as of 2024.
Infrastructure
live with 89.8% less strain on fresh water
North Korea withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Zambia withdraws 3% as of 2022.
Environment
be 41.9% less likely to die from air pollution
In North Korea, air pollution causes 86.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Zambia, it causes 50.0 as of 2019.
emit 78.4% less CO2
North Korea emits 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Zambia emits 0.5 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021). How we calculate this
Compare further: North Korea vs. Zambia
Zambia: At a glance
How big is Zambia compared to North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.