North Korea vs South Asia (IDA & IBRD): Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64)
North Korea
91.2%
in 2025
South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
81.2%
in 2025
North Korea rank
3rd
South Asia (IDA & IBRD) rank
1st
Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) over time
- North Korea
- South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
How they compare
North Korea currently reports 91.2% against 81.2% in South Asia (IDA & IBRD), a difference of 10.0%.
That makes North Korea's figure about 1.1 times South Asia (IDA & IBRD)'s.
Across all 36 years both countries report, North Korea has been ahead every year.
North Korea ranks 3rd and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 1st of 187 countries.
North Korea has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | North Korea | South Asia (IDA & IBRD) | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 88.1% | 85.9% | 2.2% | North Korea |
| 2000s | 89.0% | 84.7% | 4.3% | North Korea |
| 2010s | 90.0% | 80.8% | 9.3% | North Korea |
| 2020s | 90.2% | 80.3% | 9.9% | North Korea |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64), North Korea or South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- North Korea, at 91.2% against 81.2% in South Asia (IDA & IBRD) as of 2025.
- What is the difference in labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) between North Korea and South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- 10.0%, with North Korea ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for North Korea and South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- 36 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2025.
- How do North Korea and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) rank globally for labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64)?
- North Korea ranks 3rd and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 1st of 187 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.