Health in North Korea

North Korea has a life expectancy of 74 years as of 2022^[update].^[1] While North Korea is classified as a low-income country, the structure of North Korea's causes of death (2013) is unlike that of other low-income countries.^[2] Rather, causes of death are closer to the worldwide averages, with non-communicable diseases – such as cardiovascular disease – accounting for two-thirds of the total deaths.^[2]

North Korea claims to provide universal health care with a national medical service and health insurance system.^[3] It also claims that health services are offered for free.^[4] However, this claim has been contested by North Korean defectors, who assert that patients must in fact pay for health services, that the upper classes have access to a higher standard of healthcare, and that "how much money a patient has determined whether they live or die".^[5]