Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in North Korea

North Korea: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 68.8% in 2017. ▲ Rising

Latest (2017)
68.8%
Change on year
down 10.1%
World rank
14th
of 113 countries
All-time high
76.5%
in 2014
All-time low
53.0%
in 1992
Years of data
8
1992–2017

Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in North Korea, 1992–2017

0204060801992200420171992: 53 % of women ages 15-491997: 55.8 % of women ages 15-492002: 58.2 % of women ages 15-492004: 56.3 % of women ages 15-492006: 58.5 % of women ages 15-492010: 65.3 % of women ages 15-492014: 76.5 % of women ages 15-492017: 68.8 % of women ages 15-49

Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.

Analysis

In 2017, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in North Korea stood at 68.8%.

That represents a change of down 10.1% on the previous year and up 17.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in North Korea peaked at 76.5% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 53.0%, in 1992.

That places North Korea 14th out of 113 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 54.4% 53.0% 55.8% 2
2000s 57.7% 56.3% 58.5% 3
2010s 70.2% 65.3% 76.5% 3

Countries ranked near North Korea

  1. 11 Thailand 70.7% compare
  2. 12 Costa Rica 70.0% compare
  3. 15 South Korea 67.6% compare
  4. 16 Honduras 66.5% compare
  5. 17 Paraguay 66.4% compare

See the full ranking of 113 places →

More reference data data for North Korea

All data for North Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in North Korea?
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in North Korea was 68.8% in 2017, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in North Korea?
The highest recorded value was 76.5% in 2014.
What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in North Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 53.0% in 1992.
How does North Korea rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
North Korea ranks 14th out of 113 countries with data for 2017.
Is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods rising or falling in North Korea?
Over the last ten years it is up 17.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this North Korea data come from?
The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods
Unit
% of women ages 15-49
Source
Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
113 places, 1,022 data points, 1961–2024
Last refreshed

Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).