Animal protein consumption in North Korea
North Korea: Animal protein consumption was 3.54 grams of protein per day per capita in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2018)
3.54 grams of protein per day per capita
Change on year
up 4.1%
World rank
110th
of 192 countries
All-time high
11.99 grams of protein per day per capita
in 1978
All-time low
1.81 grams of protein per day per capita
in 2004
Years of data
58
1961–2018
Animal protein consumption in North Korea, 1961–2018
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in grams of protein per day per capita.
Analysis
The most recent figure for animal protein consumption in North Korea is 3.54 grams of protein per day per capita, measured in 2018.
That represents a change of up 4.1% on the previous year and up 30.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, animal protein consumption in North Korea peaked at 11.99 grams of protein per day per capita in 1978 and was at its lowest, 1.81 grams of protein per day per capita, in 2004.
That places North Korea 110th out of 192 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Animal protein consumption in North Korea, year by year
| Year | grams of protein per day per capita | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 8.08 grams of protein per day per capita | — |
| 1962 | 8.05 grams of protein per day per capita | -0.5% |
| 1963 | 8.25 grams of protein per day per capita | +2.5% |
| 1964 | 7.96 grams of protein per day per capita | -3.5% |
| 1965 | 8.28 grams of protein per day per capita | +4.0% |
| 1966 | 8.63 grams of protein per day per capita | +4.2% |
| 1967 | 8.89 grams of protein per day per capita | +3.1% |
| 1968 | 8.88 grams of protein per day per capita | -0.2% |
| 1969 | 8.59 grams of protein per day per capita | -3.3% |
| 1970 | 7.18 grams of protein per day per capita | -16.4% |
| 1971 | 7.74 grams of protein per day per capita | +7.8% |
| 1972 | 8.18 grams of protein per day per capita | +5.7% |
| 1973 | 8.04 grams of protein per day per capita | -1.8% |
| 1974 | 9.16 grams of protein per day per capita | +14.0% |
| 1975 | 9.41 grams of protein per day per capita | +2.7% |
| 1976 | 11.62 grams of protein per day per capita | +23.5% |
| 1977 | 11.51 grams of protein per day per capita | -0.9% |
| 1978 | 11.99 grams of protein per day per capita | +4.2% |
| 1979 | 11.54 grams of protein per day per capita | -3.7% |
| 1980 | 10.75 grams of protein per day per capita | -6.8% |
| 1981 | 11.73 grams of protein per day per capita | +9.0% |
| 1982 | 11.83 grams of protein per day per capita | +0.9% |
| 1983 | 11.23 grams of protein per day per capita | -5.1% |
| 1984 | 11.22 grams of protein per day per capita | -0.1% |
| 1985 | 11.11 grams of protein per day per capita | -0.9% |
| 1986 | 11.63 grams of protein per day per capita | +4.7% |
| 1987 | 11.57 grams of protein per day per capita | -0.5% |
| 1988 | 10.33 grams of protein per day per capita | -10.7% |
| 1989 | 11.07 grams of protein per day per capita | +7.2% |
| 1990 | 8.12 grams of protein per day per capita | -26.7% |
| 1991 | 6.38 grams of protein per day per capita | -21.4% |
| 1992 | 5.74 grams of protein per day per capita | -10.1% |
| 1993 | 5.85 grams of protein per day per capita | +1.9% |
| 1994 | 4.6 grams of protein per day per capita | -21.3% |
| 1995 | 3.73 grams of protein per day per capita | -18.9% |
| 1996 | 3.34 grams of protein per day per capita | -10.7% |
| 1997 | 2.92 grams of protein per day per capita | -12.6% |
| 1998 | 2.79 grams of protein per day per capita | -4.2% |
| 1999 | 2.64 grams of protein per day per capita | -5.4% |
| 2000 | 2.59 grams of protein per day per capita | -2.0% |
| 2001 | 2.63 grams of protein per day per capita | +1.8% |
| 2002 | 2.26 grams of protein per day per capita | -14.0% |
| 2003 | 1.99 grams of protein per day per capita | -12.2% |
| 2004 | 1.81 grams of protein per day per capita | -8.7% |
| 2005 | 2.32 grams of protein per day per capita | +28.2% |
| 2006 | 2.46 grams of protein per day per capita | +6.0% |
| 2007 | 2.71 grams of protein per day per capita | +10.0% |
| 2008 | 2.72 grams of protein per day per capita | +0.4% |
| 2009 | 2.66 grams of protein per day per capita | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 2.73 grams of protein per day per capita | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 2.82 grams of protein per day per capita | +3.3% |
| 2012 | 2.86 grams of protein per day per capita | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 3.03 grams of protein per day per capita | +5.9% |
| 2014 | 3.06 grams of protein per day per capita | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 3.2 grams of protein per day per capita | +4.6% |
| 2016 | 3.13 grams of protein per day per capita | -2.2% |
| 2017 | 3.4 grams of protein per day per capita | +8.6% |
| 2018 | 3.54 grams of protein per day per capita | +4.1% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 3.54 grams of protein per day per capita is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.31 grams of protein per day per capita, 2.7× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 3.54 grams of protein per day per capita is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 10.24 grams of protein per day per capita, 35% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 8.4 grams of protein per day per capita | 7.96 grams of protein per day per capita | 8.89 grams of protein per day per capita | 9 |
| 1970s | 9.64 grams of protein per day per capita | 7.18 grams of protein per day per capita | 11.99 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 1980s | 11.25 grams of protein per day per capita | 10.33 grams of protein per day per capita | 11.83 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.61 grams of protein per day per capita | 2.64 grams of protein per day per capita | 8.12 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.42 grams of protein per day per capita | 1.81 grams of protein per day per capita | 2.72 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.09 grams of protein per day per capita | 2.73 grams of protein per day per capita | 3.54 grams of protein per day per capita | 9 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
- 107 Austria 3.65 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 108 Libya 3.61 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 109 Belize 3.58 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 111 Belarus 3.33 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 112 Chile 3.32 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 113 Zambia 3.31 grams of protein per day per capita compare
More economy & growth data for North Korea
- Vaccination coverage against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vs. GDP per capita 99.0% (2025)
- Where China ranks among a country’s import partners 1 rank (2025)
- Share of imports by region of origin 36.76 million current US$ (2025)
- Imports by region of origin 36.76 million current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows 1.90 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows 9.21 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Gross Domestic Product, GDP in millions constant 2021 international $ 52,947 (2027)
- Tax revenue vs. Electoral Democracy Index 0.083 (2025)
- Human Rights Index vs. GDP per capita 0.024 (2025)
- Imports by region of origin, annual growth rate 184.33 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is animal protein consumption in North Korea?
- Animal protein consumption in North Korea was 3.54 grams of protein per day per capita in 2018, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest animal protein consumption recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 11.99 grams of protein per day per capita in 1978.
- What is the lowest animal protein consumption recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.81 grams of protein per day per capita in 2004.
- How does North Korea rank for animal protein consumption?
- North Korea ranks 110th out of 192 countries with data for 2018.
- Is animal protein consumption rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 30.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Animal protein consumption. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 58 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Quantity that is available for consumption at the end of the supply chain. It does not account for consumer waste, so the quantity that is actually consumed may be lower.