Poverty in North Korea is extensive, though reliable statistics are hard to come by due to lack of reliable research, pervasive censorship and extensivemedia manipulation inNorth Korea.[1][unreliable source?]
Poverty in North Korea has been widely reported by Western media sources[2][3][4] with the majority referring to thefamine that affected the country in the mid-1990s.[5] A 2006 report suggests that North Korea required an estimated 5.3M tonnes of grain per year while harvesting only an estimated 4.5M tonnes, and thus relies on foreign aid to overcome the deficit.[6] Starvation continues to be a systemic problem. In 2021, there were reports of widespread starvation in North Korea.[7]
Poverty in North Korea has also been attributed to poor governance by the government and sanctions.[8] It is estimated that in 2020, 60% of the North Korean population were living below the poverty line.[9]
^"There are no reliable statistics about the poverty rate in North Korea; however, International relief organizations observed severe economic damage and many Koreans suffering from chronic food shortage". Quote from Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Economic Overview, The Eurasia Center.[1]archive
Kich, Martin (2006). "Korea, North". In Odekon, Mehmet (ed.).Encyclopedia of World Poverty. Vol. 1. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications. pp. 615–617.ISBN978-1-4522-6518-6.
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