Moving to Kyrgyzstan from North Korea

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What to Expect

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

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

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from North Korea to Kyrgyzstan.

Living there in 2020
1,729 ↓ 3% vs 2015

people born in North Korea live in Kyrgyzstan · UN DESA

Who's moving to Kyrgyzstan?

Top countries of origin for Kyrgyzstan's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

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

How's the healthcare?

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

affects wait times and access to care

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

WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access

KP
68
KG
69

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

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

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

KP
2.5t
KG
1.5t

North Korea generally does better on environment, though Kyrgyzstan leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

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

annual consumption — reflects grid capacity

KP
830 kWh
KG
1,971 kWh

North Korea generally does better on infrastructure, though Kyrgyzstan leads in electricity per capita.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

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

a broad measure of economic output per person

KP
$1,700
KG
$6,400

North Korea generally does better on employment & economy, though Kyrgyzstan leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

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

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

KP
22.2
KG
25.7

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.

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

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

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

Data: Kyrgyzhydromet Kyrgyzhydromet

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between North Korea and Kyrgyzstan. To live, work, or study long-term in Kyrgyzstan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Kyrgyzstan's immigration authority.

North Korea passport

North Korea passport holder visiting Kyrgyzstan

Visa Free
North Korea passport holders can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa.
Kyrgyzstan passport

Kyrgyzstan passport holder visiting North Korea

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

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Kyrgyzstan?

From major Kyrgyzstan cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in North Korea and Kyrgyzstan are what actually decide it long-term.

How is healthcare in Kyrgyzstan compared to North Korea?

Kyrgyzstan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though North Korea leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 21.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Kyrgyzstan, compared to 36.7 in North Korea. Kyrgyzstan scores 69 on the WHO universal health coverage index (North Korea: 68).

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

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

What language do they speak in Kyrgyzstan?

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

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At a Glance

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