Measure
Snapshot
North Korea
Ranked 17 of 26 for comprehensive power, with an overall score of 10.6 out of 100.
Lost 0.8 points (−7% change) in overall score in 2023.
Lost 0.8 points (−7% change) in overall score in 2023.
North Korea is a middle power in Asia.
Its overall score declined by 0.8 points compared to 2021, driven by declines in its military capability, resilience, and diplomatic influence.
North Korea’s weakest measures are its economic relationships and cultural influence, where it places last for both, a result of its isolation from the broader region. Its strongest measure continues to be its military capability, where it ranks eighth.
However, future resources represents its biggest decline, with North Korea dropping three places over the past year. By contrast, North Korea’s second strongest measure, resilience, increased in 2022, a result of continued investment in its nuclear deterrent capability.
Despite access to nuclear weapons, North Korea exerts less influence in the region than expected given its available resources. Its negative power gap remained roughly the same as in the previous edition.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Bilateral trade, current dollars (2020)
Globally, which countries does North Korea do most of its trade with?
Which countries in the region rely most on trade with North Korea?
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
Conventional military strength
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction