Democratic Features Index in North Korea

North Korea: Democratic Features Index was 2.6 in 2025. ▬ Flat

Latest (2025)
2.6
Change on year
up 2.0%
World rank
118th
of 128 countries
All-time high
2.7
in 2005
All-time low
2.55
in 2021
Years of data
11
2005–2025

Democratic Features Index in North Korea, 2005–2025

01232005201520252005: 2.72007: 2.72009: 2.62011: 2.62013: 2.62015: 2.62017: 2.62019: 2.62021: 2.52023: 2.52025: 2.6

Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for democratic features index in North Korea is 2.6, measured in 2025.

That represents a change of up 2.0% on the previous year and unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, democratic features index in North Korea peaked at 2.7 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 2.55, in 2021.

North Korea ranks 118th of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Democratic Features Index in North Korea, year by year

Annual values for Democratic Features Index in North Korea, 2005 to 2025.
Year Value Change
2005 2.7
2007 2.7 +0.0%
2009 2.65 -1.9%
2011 2.6 -1.9%
2013 2.6 +0.0%
2015 2.6 +0.0%
2017 2.6 +0.0%
2019 2.65 +1.9%
2021 2.55 -3.8%
2023 2.55 +0.0%
2025 2.6 +2.0%

North Korea compared with similar countries

  • North Korea's 2.6 is below the median for low income countries, which is 2.92, 89% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
  • North Korea's 2.6 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.47, 58% of the median. (14 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 2.68 2.65 2.7 3
2010s 2.61 2.6 2.65 5
2020s 2.57 2.55 2.6 3

Countries ranked near North Korea

  1. 117 Turkmenistan 2.7 compare
  2. 119 South Sudan 2.52 compare
  3. 120 Chad 2.47 compare
  4. 121 Haiti 2.38 compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More reference data data for North Korea

All data for North Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is democratic features index in North Korea?
Democratic features index in North Korea was 2.6 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest democratic features index recorded in North Korea?
The highest recorded value was 2.7 in 2005.
What is the lowest democratic features index recorded in North Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 2.55 in 2021.
How does North Korea rank for democratic features index?
North Korea ranks 118th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
Is democratic features index rising or falling in North Korea?
Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
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 Democratic Features Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Democratic Features Index in North Korea. Statizoid, drawing on Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 24 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/democratic-features-bti/korea-dem-people-s-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Democratic Features Index
Source
Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
128 places, 1,394 data points, 2005–2025
Last refreshed

Captures the extent of democratic features — political participation, rule of law, stable democratic institutions, political and social integration, and a capable state. It ranges from 1 to 10 (most democratic).