Basic State Functions Score in North Korea
North Korea: Basic State Functions Score was 7.5 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Basic State Functions Score in North Korea, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, basic state functions score in North Korea stood at 7.5.
That represents a change of up 7.1% on the previous year and down 6.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, basic state functions score in North Korea peaked at 9 in 2007 and was at its lowest, 7, in 2021.
North Korea ranks 43rd of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Basic State Functions Score in North Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8.5 | — |
| 2007 | 9 | +5.9% |
| 2009 | 8.5 | -5.6% |
| 2011 | 8 | -5.9% |
| 2013 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 7 | -12.5% |
| 2023 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 7.5 | +7.1% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 7.5 is above the median for low income countries, which is 4.5, 1.7× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 7.5 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 7.5, 1.0× the median. (14 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.67 | 8.5 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| 2020s | 7.17 | 7 | 7.5 | 3 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
- 43 Argentina 7.5 compare
- 43 Armenia 7.5 compare
- 43 Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.5 compare
- 43 Cote d'Ivoire 7.5 compare
- 43 Cuba 7.5 compare
- 43 Ghana 7.5 compare
- 43 India 7.5 compare
- 43 Jamaica 7.5 compare
- 43 Laos 7.5 compare
- 43 Lesotho 7.5 compare
- 43 Malawi 7.5 compare
- 43 Namibia 7.5 compare
- 43 Rwanda 7.5 compare
- 43 Sri Lanka 7.5 compare
- 43 Tajikistan 7.5 compare
- 43 Turkey 7.5 compare
- 43 Turkmenistan 7.5 compare
- 43 Uzbekistan 7.5 compare
More reference data data for North Korea
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CH4) - Burning - Crop residues 3.54 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Agricultural Soils 1,939 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.838 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 5.57 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.91 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 (AR5) - Manure Management 325.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CH4) - Manure Management 11.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Agricultural 1,939 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Burning - Crop 24.3 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is basic state functions score in North Korea?
- Basic state functions score in North Korea was 7.5 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest basic state functions score recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 9 in 2007.
- What is the lowest basic state functions score recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 7 in 2021.
- How does North Korea rank for basic state functions score?
- North Korea ranks 43rd out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is basic state functions score rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Basic State Functions Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Indicates the extent to which the state has the monopoly on the use of force and provides basic public services across the country. It ranges from 1 to 10 (most functioning).