Mother Earth Travel > Country Index > North Korea > Map Economy History |
| Economy - overview: North Korea, one of the world's most
centrally planned and isolated economies, faces desperate economic
conditions. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result
of years of underinvestment and spare parts shortages. The nation faces
its seventh year of food shortages because of weather-related problems,
including major drought in 2000, and chronic shortages of fertilizer and
fuel. Massive international food aid deliveries have allowed the regime to
escape the major consequence of spreading economic failure, such as mass
starvation, but the population remains vulnerable to prolonged
malnutrition and deteriorating living conditions. Large-scale military
spending eats up resources needed for expanding investment and consumption
goods. In 2000, the regime placed emphasis on expanding foreign trade
links, embracing modern technology, and attracting foreign investment, but
in no way at the expense of relinquishing central control over key
national assets or undergoing market-oriented reforms. GDP:
purchasing power parity - $22 billion (2000 est.) SOURCE: The World Factbook |
Mother Earth Travel > Country Index > North Korea > Map Economy History