North Korea's economy expanded by 3.5% in 2025, easing slightly from an eight-year high of 3.7% in the previous year but marking a third consecutive year of growth above 3%. The expansion was driven by stronger economic cooperation with Russia, rising trade with China, and the government's push for state-led development projects. Manufacturing activity also benefited from increased export demand for North Korean weapons, while higher numbers of Russian tourists and expanded transport links supported the services sector. As a result, the country's economic output was estimated to have exceeded its 2017 level, before UN sanctions on Pyongyang took full effect. source: Bank of Korea

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in North Korea expanded 3.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in North Korea averaged -0.33 percent from 1990 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 6.10 percent in 1999 and a record low of -6.50 percent in 1997. This page provides - North Korea GDP Annual Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. North Korea GDP Annual Growth Rate - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on August of 2026.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in North Korea expanded 3.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in North Korea is expected to reach 3.00 percent by the end of 2026, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the North Korea GDP Annual Growth Rate is projected to trend around 2.90 percent in 2027 and 2.60 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
GDP Annual Growth Rate 3.50 3.70 percent Dec 2025
GDP Constant Prices 38264.00 36965.40 KPW Billion Dec 2025
GDP from Agriculture 8270.70 7979.80 KPW Billion Dec 2025
GDP from Construction 4664.60 4389.90 KPW Billion Dec 2025
GDP from Manufacturing 6703.30 6291.10 KPW Billion Dec 2025
GDP from Mining 3920.30 3856.70 KPW Billion Dec 2025
GDP from Public Administration 9528.10 9438.20 KPW Billion Dec 2025
GDP from Services 12383.90 12161.90 KPW Billion Dec 2025
GDP from Transport 507.40 490.30 KPW Billion Dec 2024
GDP from Utilities 2052.10 2059.80 KPW Billion Dec 2025


North Korea GDP Annual Growth Rate
In 2015, the services sector accounted for 32.2 percent of total GDP, with government services reaching 23.3 percent. The agricultural sector recorded the second largest share (21.6 percent), followed by manufacturing (20.4 percent); mining (12.2 percent); construction (9 percent) and electricity, gas and water supply (4.5 percent), according to estimates from the central bank of South Korea.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.50 3.70 6.10 -6.50 1990 - 2025 percent Yearly

News Stream
North Korea Economy Growth Eases to 3.5%
North Korea's economy expanded by 3.5% in 2025, easing slightly from an eight-year high of 3.7% in the previous year but marking a third consecutive year of growth above 3%. The expansion was driven by stronger economic cooperation with Russia, rising trade with China, and the government's push for state-led development projects. Manufacturing activity also benefited from increased export demand for North Korean weapons, while higher numbers of Russian tourists and expanded transport links supported the services sector. As a result, the country's economic output was estimated to have exceeded its 2017 level, before UN sanctions on Pyongyang took full effect.
2026-07-31
North Korea Economy Grows at Fastest Rate in 8 years
The economy of North Korea grew by 3.7% in 2024, the strongest expansion since 2016, from a 3.1% rise in 2023, driven largely by deepening economic ties with Russia. According to an official from the Bank of Korea (BOK), the improvement was due to significant increases in manufacturing, construction and mining industries, which were affected by strengthening of national policy projects domestically, and expansion of economic cooperation between North Korea and Russia externally. In particular, the heavy chemical sector surged 10.7%, the fastest growth on record, supported by increased production of metal products used in weapons exported to Russia.
2025-08-29