Share of imports that come from China in North Korea
North Korea: Share of imports that come from China was 81.8% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of imports that come from China in North Korea, 1981–2025
Source: International Monetary Fund (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of imports that come from china in North Korea is 81.8%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 23.0% on the previous year and up 14.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of imports that come from china in North Korea peaked at 91.5% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 19.1%, in 2001.
North Korea ranks 1st of 206 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 45 years of available data.
Share of imports that come from China in North Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 34.1% | — |
| 1982 | 31.9% | -6.4% |
| 1983 | 31.8% | -0.3% |
| 1984 | 31.3% | -1.5% |
| 1985 | 31.5% | +0.7% |
| 1986 | 34.9% | +10.7% |
| 1987 | 29.5% | -15.5% |
| 1988 | 28.3% | -4.1% |
| 1989 | 34.2% | +20.7% |
| 1990 | 30.3% | -11.3% |
| 1991 | 38.7% | +27.7% |
| 1992 | 42.9% | +10.7% |
| 1993 | 43.6% | +1.8% |
| 1994 | 37.2% | -14.7% |
| 1995 | 34.9% | -6.2% |
| 1996 | 27.8% | -20.6% |
| 1997 | 40.3% | +45.1% |
| 1998 | 33.5% | -16.8% |
| 1999 | 29.5% | -11.9% |
| 2000 | 24.6% | -16.6% |
| 2001 | 19.1% | -22.4% |
| 2002 | 23.2% | +21.2% |
| 2003 | 33.6% | +44.8% |
| 2004 | 34.5% | +2.8% |
| 2005 | 35.8% | +4.0% |
| 2006 | 34.8% | -2.9% |
| 2007 | 43.4% | +24.8% |
| 2008 | 46.9% | +8.1% |
| 2009 | 62.6% | +33.4% |
| 2010 | 62.5% | -0.2% |
| 2011 | 81.3% | +30.1% |
| 2012 | 81.7% | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 74.5% | -8.8% |
| 2014 | 78.1% | +4.8% |
| 2015 | 71.8% | -8.1% |
| 2016 | 83.5% | +16.3% |
| 2017 | 91.5% | +9.6% |
| 2018 | 79.9% | -12.6% |
| 2019 | 79.0% | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 50.5% | -36.1% |
| 2021 | 38.5% | -23.8% |
| 2022 | 49.2% | +27.8% |
| 2023 | 80.1% | +62.8% |
| 2024 | 66.5% | -16.9% |
| 2025 | 81.8% | +23.0% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 81.8% is above the median for low income countries, which is 22.7%, 3.6× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 81.8% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 26.4%, 3.1× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 31.9% | 28.3% | 34.9% | 9 |
| 1990s | 35.9% | 27.8% | 43.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 35.9% | 19.1% | 62.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 78.4% | 62.5% | 91.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 61.1% | 38.5% | 81.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
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 share of imports that come from china in North Korea?
- Share of imports that come from china in North Korea was 81.8% in 2025, according to International Monetary Fund (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of imports that come from china recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 91.5% in 2017.
- What is the lowest share of imports that come from china recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.1% in 2001.
- How does North Korea rank for share of imports that come from china?
- North Korea ranks 1st out of 206 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of imports that come from china rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of imports that come from China. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of a country's total goods imports, including freight and insurance costs, that come from China.