Largest cities in North Korea by population
The 23 cities the United Nations Demographic Yearbook 2024 lists for North Korea: the capital and every city of 100,000 or more, with the latest figure the country reported. The largest is Pyongyang with 2,581,076 people.
Who runs cities in North Korea?
Provinces (9) and cities under central authority (including Pyongyang and Rason): Provincial people's assembly elected by voters; it elects the people's committee and its chair. Party committee secretary leads in practice.. Regional administration, economy, food distribution, local industry.
How local power works in North Korea · Level 3: local councils worldwide
| # | City | Population | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyongyang (capital) | 2,581,076 | 1 October 2008 |
| 2 | Chongjin | 614,892 | 1 October 2008 |
| 3 | Hamhung | 614,198 | 1 October 2008 |
| 4 | Sinuiju | 334,031 | 1 October 2008 |
| 5 | Wonsan | 328,467 | 1 October 2008 |
| 6 | Nampho | 310,864 | 1 October 2008 |
| 7 | Sariwon | 271,434 | 1 October 2008 |
| 8 | Kaechon | 262,389 | 1 October 2008 |
| 9 | Kanggye | 251,971 | 1 October 2008 |
| 10 | Sunchon | 250,738 | 1 October 2008 |
| 11 | Haeju | 241,599 | 1 October 2008 |
| 12 | Tanchon | 240,873 | 1 October 2008 |
| 13 | Phyongsong | 236,583 | 1 October 2008 |
| 14 | Tokchon | 210,571 | 1 October 2008 |
| 15 | Kaesong | 192,578 | 1 October 2008 |
| 16 | Hyesan | 174,015 | 1 October 2008 |
| 17 | Anju | 167,646 | 1 October 2008 |
| 18 | Rason | 158,337 | 1 October 2008 |
| 19 | Kim Chaek | 155,284 | 1 October 2008 |
| 20 | Kusong | 155,181 | 1 October 2008 |
| 21 | Huichon | 136,093 | 1 October 2008 |
| 22 | Sinpho | 130,951 | 1 October 2008 |
| 23 | Jongju | 102,659 | 1 October 2008 |
Countries define a city in different ways (the city proper, or the wider urban area) and report in different years, so cities in different countries are not always comparable.
More on North Korea: official statistics · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
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