Share of female employment by economic sector in North Korea
North Korea: Share of female employment by economic sector was 57.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Share of female employment by economic sector in North Korea, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of female employment by economic sector in North Korea is 57.8%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.3% on the previous year and up 5.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of female employment by economic sector in North Korea peaked at 58.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 52.1%, in 1991.
That places North Korea 23rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
Share of female employment by economic sector in North Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 52.1% | — |
| 1992 | 53.2% | +2.2% |
| 1993 | 54.0% | +1.5% |
| 1994 | 54.6% | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 55.3% | +1.4% |
| 1996 | 56.0% | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 57.0% | +1.9% |
| 1998 | 57.3% | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 56.6% | -1.1% |
| 2000 | 56.7% | +0.1% |
| 2001 | 56.3% | -0.7% |
| 2002 | 56.2% | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 56.0% | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 55.7% | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 55.3% | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 55.4% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 55.5% | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 55.1% | -0.7% |
| 2009 | 55.3% | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 55.3% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 55.2% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 55.1% | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 54.9% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 54.8% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 54.9% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 54.4% | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 54.9% | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 55.5% | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 55.4% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 57.3% | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 58.5% | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 58.4% | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 58.0% | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 57.9% | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 57.8% | -0.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 55.1% | 52.1% | 57.3% | 9 |
| 2000s | 55.7% | 55.1% | 56.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 55.1% | 54.4% | 55.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 58.0% | 57.3% | 58.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More gender data for North Korea
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 4,948 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.7158 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 162,142 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 171,689 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 163,466 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 172,928 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 164,613 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 173,969 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, female, interpolated 165,947 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, male, interpolated 175,324 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of female employment by economic sector in North Korea?
- Share of female employment by economic sector in North Korea was 57.8% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of female employment by economic sector recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 58.5% in 2021.
- What is the lowest share of female employment by economic sector recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 52.1% in 1991.
- How does North Korea rank for share of female employment by economic sector?
- North Korea ranks 23rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of female employment by economic sector rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of female employment by economic sector. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of total employment working in the agriculture sector.