North Korea

ECON COMPLEXITY (2018)

-0.27

RANK 80 OF 137

PRODUCT EXPORTS (2018)

$291M

RANK 167 OF 222

EXPORTS PER CAPITA (2018)

$11.4

RANK 109 OF 219

PRODUCT IMPORTS (2018)

$2.32B

RANK 154 OF 221

IMPORTS PER CAPITA (2018)

$90.7

RANK 108 of 219

North Korea is the 134th largest export economy in the world. In 2017, North Korea exported $1.74B and imported $3.42B, resulting in a negative trade balance of $1.69B.

The top exports of North Korea are Coal Briquettes ($367M), Non-Knit Men’s Coats ($139M), Molluscs ($137M),

Non-Knit Women’s Coats ($128M) and Non-Knit Men’s Suits ($105M), using the 1992 revision of the HS (Harmonized System) classification. Its top imports are Synthetic Filament Yarn Woven Fabric ($200M), Soybean Oil ($110M), Broadcasting Equipment ($83.8M), Video Displays ($79.8M) and Light Rubberized Knitted Fabric ($72.3M).

The top export destinations of North Korea are China ($1.58B), Pakistan ($27.8M), India ($25M), Ghana ($11.4M) and Mali($9.8M). The top import origins are China ($3.23B), Russia($74.1M), India ($59.1M), Peru ($9.7M) and Honduras ($8.81M).

North Korea borders China, South Korea and Russia by land and Japan by sea.

Exports

In 2018 North Korea exported a total of $291M, making it the number 167 exporter in the world. During the last five reported years the exports of North Korea have changed by -$3.03B from $3.32B in 2013 to $291M in 2018.

The most recent exports are led by Watch Movements ($31.1M), Ferroalloys ($27.7M), Fake Hair ($22.4M), Rubber working Machinery ($19.1M), and Tungsten Ore ($18.5M). 

Imports

In 2018 North Korea imported $2.32B, making it the number 154 trade destination in the world. During the last five reported years the imports of North Korea changed by -$2.04B from $4.35B in 2013 to $2.32B in 2018.

The most recent imports of North Korea are led by Soybean Oil ($140M), Synthetic Filament Yarn Woven Fabric ($126M), Nitrogenous Fertilizers ($80.7M), Wheat Flours ($65.5M), and Light Rubberized Knitted Fabric ($57.9M). 

Trade Balance

As of 2018 North Korea had a negative trade balance of $1.69B in net imports. As compared to their trade balance in 1995 when they still had a negative trade balance of $297M in net imports.

Destinations

The most common destination for the exports of North Korea are China ($182M), Zambia ($20M), Mozambique ($7.81M), Saudi Arabia ($7.21M), and Pakistan ($7.05M).

Origins

The most common import partners for North Korea are China ($2.22B), Russia ($32.1M), India ($31.3M), Brazil ($7.29M), and Switzerland ($3.3M).