Moving to North Korea from Bhutan
What to Expect
Considering a move from Bhutan to North Korea? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Bhutan to North Korea, and you’d need to navigate life in Korean. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — P'yongyang averages 60°F vs 72°F in Thimphu, making it significantly cooler.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓Get free moving quotes to North Korea
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in North Korea compared to Bhutan.
How's the healthcare?
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
share of adults with obesity
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
Bhutan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though North Korea leads in doctors per 10,000 people.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Bhutan performs better than North Korea across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
Bhutan performs better than North Korea across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
Bhutan generally does better on employment & economy, though North Korea leads in unemployment rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
percentage of adults who can read and write
North Korea generally does better on family life, though Bhutan leads in life expectancy.
Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Thimphu | P'yongyang |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 63°/33°F (17°/1°C) | 38°/20°F (4°/-7°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 76°/53°F (25°/12°C) | 72°/52°F (22°/11°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) | 81°/65°F (27°/18°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 68°/39°F (20°/4°C) | 50°/31°F (10°/0°C) |
View all months
| Month | Thimphu | P'yongyang |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 59°/28°F (15.1°/-2.1°C) | 31°/13°F (-0.8°/-10.7°C) |
| Feb | 62°/33°F (16.7°/0.5°C) | 36°/18°F (2.4°/-7.8°C) |
| Mar | 67°/39°F (19.4°/4.0°C) | 48°/29°F (8.9°/-1.8°C) |
| Apr | 72°/46°F (22.4°/7.8°C) | 63°/41°F (17.1°/4.9°C) |
| May | 76°/53°F (24.7°/11.5°C) | 73°/52°F (22.6°/10.9°C) |
| Jun | 80°/59°F (26.7°/15.2°C) | 80°/62°F (26.7°/16.5°C) |
| Jul | 81°/61°F (27.1°/16.4°C) | 83°/69°F (28.6°/20.7°C) |
| Aug | 81°/61°F (27.2°/16.1°C) | 84°/69°F (28.9°/20.5°C) |
| Sep | 79°/58°F (26.1°/14.6°C) | 76°/58°F (24.7°/14.3°C) |
| Oct | 74°/48°F (23.4°/9.0°C) | 65°/44°F (18.2°/6.7°C) |
| Nov | 67°/38°F (19.7°/3.2°C) | 49°/31°F (9.4°/-0.3°C) |
| Dec | 62°/31°F (16.5°/-0.8°C) | 35°/19°F (1.7°/-7.2°C) |
National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM)Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Bhutan and North Korea. To live, work, or study long-term in North Korea, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check North Korea's immigration authority.
Bhutan passport holder visiting North Korea
Visa Required
North Korea passport holder visiting Bhutan
Visa Online (e-Visa)Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from North Korea?
From major North Korea cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Bhutan and North Korea are what actually decide it long-term.
How is healthcare in North Korea compared to Bhutan?
Bhutan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though North Korea leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 36.7 doctors per 10,000 people in North Korea, compared to 5.5 in Bhutan. North Korea scores 68 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Bhutan: 60).
What's the weather like in North Korea compared to Bhutan?
The average high temperature in P'yongyang is 60°F, compared to 72°F in Thimphu. P'yongyang receives around 37.0 in of rainfall per year, while Thimphu gets 23.3 in.
What language do they speak in North Korea?
The official language in North Korea is Korean. In Bhutan, the official language is Dzongkha.
