Daily life in North Korea - markets, wages, school

Money

Markets, not wages

After the state food system collapsed in the 1990s famine, people started trading to survive. The markets never went away.

477

Official markets

At least, from a 2022 survey - 39 built since 2011. Source

1.1m

People work in them

Korea Institute for National Unification, 2017. Source

~$2

Official monthly wage

The state salary is almost worthless; most income comes from the markets. Source

50-75%

Of income from markets

Estimated share of what North Koreans earn. Source

Growing up

12 yrs

Compulsory school

Kindergarten, primary and secondary, since 2012. Source

10 yrs

Army service for men

Up to ten years from 17; women up to eight. Source

1946

Kim Il Sung University

The country's top university - roughly one in five applicants got in, 1980s. Source

"Jangmadang"

The market generation

People born in the 1980s and 1990s who grew up trading, not waiting for rations. Source

Everyday

~4m

Mobile phones

About one person in six, 2022 - no access to the real internet. Source

~2 hrs

Electricity a day

What many homes get. See our energy page. More

2-3m

Died in the 1990s famine

Estimate - the "Arduous March" changed how people live for good. Source

Car per household

The legal limit since private cars were allowed in 2024-25. More

Who runs it, the military, energy, daily life and more.

Sources

Figures are public estimates and may be dated - North Korea publishes almost no statistics.