Moving to North Korea from Kyrgyzstan

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Kyrgyzstan to North Korea? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Kyrgyzstan to North Korea, and you’d need to navigate life in Korean. Expect a noticeable climate shift — P'yongyang averages 60°F vs 90°F in Bishkek, making it significantly cooler.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in North Korea compared to Kyrgyzstan.

How's the healthcare?

Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

KG
21.5
KP
36.7
Health coverage index United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access

KG
69
KP
68

Kyrgyzstan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though North Korea leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

KG
88.0
KP
86.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

KG
1.5t
KP
2.5t

Kyrgyzstan generally does better on environment, though North Korea leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

KG
50.0%
KP
27.7%
Electricity per capita World Bank, 2022

annual consumption — reflects grid capacity

KG
1,971 kWh
KP
830 kWh

Kyrgyzstan generally does better on infrastructure, though North Korea leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

KG
4.0%
KP
3.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

KG
$6,400
KP
$1,700

Kyrgyzstan generally does better on employment & economy, though North Korea leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

KG
72.3 yrs
KP
71.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

KG
25.7
KP
22.2

North Korea generally does better on family life, though Kyrgyzstan 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.

Bishkek Rain: 17.8 in/yr (451 mm)
90° / 14°F

Avg. annual high / low

P'yongyang Rain: 37.0 in/yr (940 mm)
60° / 42°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Bishkek P'yongyang
Jan–Mar 73°/-9°F (23°/-22°C) 38°/20°F (4°/-7°C)
Apr–Jun 98°/28°F (36°/-2°C) 72°/52°F (22°/11°C)
Jul–Sep 105°/40°F (40°/5°C) 81°/65°F (27°/18°C)
Oct–Dec 83°/-5°F (28°/-21°C) 50°/31°F (10°/0°C)
View all months
Month Bishkek P'yongyang
Jan 67°/-13°F (19.2°/-25.0°C) 31°/13°F (-0.8°/-10.7°C)
Feb 68°/-10°F (20.2°/-23.2°C) 36°/18°F (2.4°/-7.8°C)
Mar 85°/-3°F (29.4°/-19.2°C) 48°/29°F (8.9°/-1.8°C)
Apr 91°/18°F (33.0°/-7.5°C) 63°/41°F (17.1°/4.9°C)
May 96°/25°F (35.6°/-4.0°C) 73°/52°F (22.6°/10.9°C)
Jun 106°/40°F (40.9°/4.2°C) 80°/62°F (26.7°/16.5°C)
Jul 109°/50°F (42.8°/9.9°C) 83°/69°F (28.6°/20.7°C)
Aug 105°/39°F (40.5°/3.8°C) 84°/69°F (28.9°/20.5°C)
Sep 100°/32°F (37.9°/0.1°C) 76°/58°F (24.7°/14.3°C)
Oct 94°/12°F (34.2°/-11.2°C) 65°/44°F (18.2°/6.7°C)
Nov 82°/-10°F (27.9°/-23.3°C) 49°/31°F (9.4°/-0.3°C)
Dec 72°/-17°F (22.1°/-27.1°C) 35°/19°F (1.7°/-7.2°C)

Data: Kyrgyzhydromet Kyrgyzhydromet

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Kyrgyzstan 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.

Kyrgyzstan passport

Kyrgyzstan passport holder visiting North Korea

Visa Required
Kyrgyzstan passport holders need a visa to enter North Korea.
North Korea passport

North Korea passport holder visiting Kyrgyzstan

Visa Free
North Korea passport holders can enter Kyrgyzstan without a 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 Kyrgyzstan and North Korea are what actually decide it long-term.

How is healthcare in North Korea compared to Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan 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 21.5 in Kyrgyzstan. North Korea scores 68 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Kyrgyzstan: 69).

What's the weather like in North Korea compared to Kyrgyzstan?

The average high temperature in P'yongyang is 60°F, compared to 90°F in Bishkek. P'yongyang receives around 37.0 in of rainfall per year, while Bishkek gets 17.8 in.

What language do they speak in North Korea?

The official language in North Korea is Korean. In Kyrgyzstan, the official languages are Kyrgyz and Russian.

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At a Glance

KG KP
Population 6,071,750 25,955,138
Currency Kyrgystani Som (KGS) North Korean Won (KPW)
Languages Kyrgyz, Russian Korean
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +996 +850
Time zones 1 1