North Korea
North Korea ranks #5 of 242 on the Composite Power Index (12.4/100), scored on military spending, active personnel, nuclear arsenal, economic size and logistics. Its Instability Index is 26.3/100 (#98 most fragile). Every figure below carries its source and year. Data read 2026-08-04.
What drives the instability score
Capability and economy · click a metric to compare
CINC is a composite index (already contains military spending, personnel, energy & population) — shown for reference; it is not added into the Composite Power Index to avoid double-counting. Each figure carries its own source year; vintages can differ.
Capability profile
Trajectory
Governance
Energy
Strategic Relationships
Allies (3)
- Chinadefense 1961
- Russiaentente 2000
- South Koreanonaggression 1991
COW alliance ties — includes historical pacts; defense first.
Neighbours (4)
Disputes (91)
COW Dyadic MID, 1816–2014 — historical register, not live rivalries. Count = militarized disputes; year = most recent; ● = peak intensity.
- South Korea31× · 2014
- United States24× · 2014
- Japan9× · 2013
- Panama1× · 2013
- China6× · 2010
- Spain1× · 2002
- Canada2× · 1994
- Australia2× · 1994
- France2× · 1990
- Taiwan1× · 1955
- South Africa1× · 1953
- Türkiye1× · 1953
Signals
Conflict forecast (ViEWS, 2029-04-01): 0% risk
Arms imports (SIPRI Arms Transfers, 2010): 1 transfers
Displacement (UNHCR): 263 refugees originated · 0 IDPs ·
Compare North Korea with
China
Japan
South Korea
Russia
United StatesNeighbours and leading powers — each links to its own sourced dossier.