North Korea

Eastern Asia

Asia

North Korea is not a conventional relocation, employment, education, or investment destination. Entry, movement, data access, and commercial activity are heavily restricted.

–
Overall score
Insufficient data · 65% data coverage
Language
Korean
Currency
KPW
Citizenship
No accessible ordinary route
Personal tax
Reliable comparable data is not available
Cost of living
Reliable comparable data is not available

Rules change often. Confirm any immigration, tax or legal decision with a qualified professional.

Score breakdown
27
Access
17%
33Residence12%
14Citizenship and passport5%
–
Earning power
25%
–Salary and work12%
–Buying power13%
26
Business and wealth
20%
20Taxes7%
15Business8%
50Investment5%
52
Daily life
25%
58Quality of life18%
35Education7%
4
Rights and institutions
13%
3Freedom6%
5Rule of law7%

Rights and institutions (4) is below the 30 floor, so the overall score cannot be finalised yet.

Pros

  • Country-wide comparison coverage
  • Local residence and work pathways available

Cons

  • Legal and tax outcomes are case-specific
  • Costs vary materially by city and lifestyle

Best for

Users comparing regional optionsPeople prepared to verify a specific pathway

Score profile

Access
Residence
33
Citizenship
12
Passport
20
Earning power
Salary & work
–
Buying power
–
Cost of living
15
Economy
–
Business and wealth
Taxes
20
Personal tax
20
Corporate tax
20
Business
15
Investment
50
Wealth building
–
Daily life
Safety
41
Healthcare
84
Environment
76
Infrastructure
41
Education
35
HDI
0
Rights and institutions
Freedom
3
Rule of law
5
How the scores are calculated

Access

Residence
Openness to residents
Limited
33
Migrant stock0.2% of population (2024)
Regulatory quality-1.87 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main pathways
EmploymentStudyFamily reunificationBusiness or investment where eligible
StudentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
WorkRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Self-employedRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
PermanentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Citizenship
Citizenship accessibility
Low
12
Years requiredNo accessible ordinary route
Dual allowedNo
LanguageCheck the current naturalisation rules for the selected route
ResidenceTypical headline route: No accessible ordinary route; qualifying residence and absence rules apply
NotesRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Passport
Passport power
Low
20
39 / 198
Mobility
#101
Global rank
No
Biometric
  • Visa-free12
  • On arrival24
  • eTA3
  • Visa required159

Placeholder estimates for 2024 to 2025. Check entry rules with each destination before travelling.

Earning power

Salary & work
Labour-market strength
Data not available
–
Unemployment3.5% (2025)
Participation82.2% of 15+ (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Tech salary (estimate)Varies substantially by city, seniority, and employer
FreelanceMarket access depends on language, sector, and work authorisation
Job marketUse current local vacancy and salary data for role-specific decisions.
Buying power
Purchasing power score
Data not available
–
Cost of living
Affordability
Low
15
RentVaries substantially by city and neighbourhood
MonthlyReliable comparable data is not available
CitiesPyongyang, Hamhung
Economy
Economic strength
Data not available
–
Stability & labour
Unemployment3.5% (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main industries
MiningMilitary & metalsAgricultureTextiles
TypeLow-income, closed command economy
Key sectorsMining & metals, State military industry, Subsistence agriculture
SummaryAn isolated, heavily sanctioned command economy with chronic shortages, reliant on mining and limited trade with China.
CurrencyNorth Korean won (non-convertible)

Business and wealth

Taxes
Tax friendliness
Low
20
PersonalReliable comparable data is not available
CorporateForeign-enterprise rules are restricted and not readily comparable
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Foreign companiesManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Personal tax
Personal tax
Low
20
PersonalReliable comparable data is not available
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Corporate tax
Corporate tax
Low
20
CorporateForeign-enterprise rules are restricted and not readily comparable
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Foreign companiesManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Business
Business friendliness
Low
15
Regulation & bureaucracy
Regulatory quality-1.87 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Government effectiveness-1.27 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Operating rules
Foreign companyGenerally possible, subject to sector, registration, tax, and substance rules
Local companyAvailable company forms and capital requirements vary
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Investment
Investing environment
Moderate
50
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, residence, holding period, and treaty position
DividendsData not available yet
ETFs & fundsData not available yet
Wealth taxCheck current national and subnational rules
BrokersLocal and international availability varies by residency and compliance checks
Foreign accessData not available yet
Tax-advantagedData not available yet
Wealth building
Wealth accumulation
Data not available
–
Salary & work
Data not available
–
Business
Low
15
Investment
Moderate
50
Tax friendliness
Low
20
Cost of living
Low
15

Daily life

Safety
Safety & stability
Limited
41
Institutions & stability
Control of corruption-1.56 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Political stability0.32 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Check current government travel and security advice before relocating.

Healthcare
Healthcare score
Excellent
84
Outcomes
Life expectancy73.7 years (2024)
Under-5 mortality16.7 per 1,000 births (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Capacity & resourcing
Physicians3.63 per 1,000 (2017)
Hospital beds12.80 per 1,000 (2018)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

System & costs
SystemPublic/private mix varies by eligibility and residence status
InsuranceCheck residence-permit and local coverage requirements
Average costDepends on eligibility, income, insurer, and chosen coverage
Environment
Environment score
Good
76
Environmental pressure
PM2.5 exposure21.8 μg/m³ annually (2023)
Water stress27.7% (2022)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Infrastructure
Infrastructure score
Limited
41
Digital infrastructure
Internet use0.0% (2004)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Utilities
Electricity access57.5% (2023)
Grid losses15.5% of output (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Transport
Rail density43.3 km / 1,000 km² (1999)
Air connectivity3 departures / million people (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Education
Education score
Limited
35
Attainment
Expected schooling12.2 years (2023)
Mean schooling0.0 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Participation & investment
Tertiary enrolment27% gross (2018)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

TuitionNot generally accessible to foreign students
Public universityVaries by institution, programme, and student nationality
LanguagesKorean
Student workRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
HDI
Human development score
Low
0
HDI0.000 (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Long & healthy life
Life expectancy73.6 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Knowledge
Expected schooling12.2 years (2023)
Mean schooling0.0 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Standard of living
GNI / person$0 PPP (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Rights and institutions

Freedom
Freedom score
Low
3
Freedom in the World3 / 100 (Not free)
Sources
Rule of law
Rule of law score
Low
5
Rule of Law percentile5 / 100
Sources
Resources
Official references
UN Statistics: M49 country and area codesunstats.un.orgPwC: Worldwide Tax Summariestaxsummaries.pwc.comUNDP Human Development Report 2025hdr.undp.orgWorld Bank World Development Indicatorsdata.worldbank.org
Quick links
North Korea visa & immigrationgoogle.comNorth Korea tax residency rulesgoogle.comNorth Korea citizenship requirementsgoogle.comCost of living in North Koreagoogle.com

Data is illustrative. Not legal or tax advice.