North Korea vs South Africa: Number without improved water
North Korea
1.43 million
in 2023
South Africa
1.51 million
in 2024
North Korea rank
48th
South Africa rank
45th
Number without improved water over time
- North Korea
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 1.51 million against 1.43 million in North Korea, a difference of 78,170.
That makes South Africa's figure about 1.1 times North Korea's.
Across all 24 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
North Korea ranks 48th and South Africa ranks 45th of 224 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | North Korea | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 147,947 | 5.00 million | 4.85 million | South Africa |
| 2010s | 1.00 million | 3.19 million | 2.19 million | South Africa |
| 2020s | 1.43 million | 1.96 million | 526,965 | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher number without improved water, North Korea or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 1.51 million against 1.43 million in North Korea as of 2024.
- What is the difference in number without improved water between North Korea and South Africa?
- 78,170, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for North Korea and South Africa?
- 24 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2023.
- How do North Korea and South Africa rank globally for number without improved water?
- North Korea ranks 48th and South Africa ranks 45th of 224 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Number without improved water. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.