North Korea vs South Africa: Population using safely managed drinking-water services
North Korea
48.8%
in 2023
South Africa
50.8%
in 2024
North Korea rank
38th
South Africa rank
36th
Population using safely managed drinking-water services over time
- North Korea
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 50.8% against 48.8% in North Korea, a difference of 2.0%.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 24 shared years of data; in 2000 it was North Korea ahead.
North Korea ranks 38th and South Africa ranks 36th of 85 countries.
Across the 3 decades both report, North Korea averaged higher in 2 and South Africa in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | North Korea | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 54.2% | 32.1% | 22.1% | North Korea |
| 2010s | 50.6% | 44.0% | 6.6% | North Korea |
| 2020s | 48.8% | 51.5% | 2.7% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population using safely managed drinking-water services, North Korea or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 50.8% against 48.8% in North Korea as of 2024.
- What is the difference in population using safely managed drinking-water services between North Korea and South Africa?
- 2.0%, 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 population using safely managed drinking-water services?
- North Korea ranks 38th and South Africa ranks 36th of 85 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as Population using safely managed drinking-water services (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.