Cut off from the outside world
At first glance, it seems surprising that North Korea has hardly made any headlines in 2025. The media often reports on missile tests, espionage cases, military parades, and North Korea’s ongoing conflict with South Korea. But behind these political headlines lies a humanitarian crisis which rarely enters the public consciousness.
Difficult access to food
According to United Nations estimates, over 10 million people in North Korea, more than 40 percent of the total population, are affected by malnutrition to varying degrees. Children under the age of five are particularly at risk: for them, malnutrition can have serious consequences for their physical and mental development. Almost one in five toddlers in North Korea is affected.
North Korea is also not spared from the effects of a shifting climate. Extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and cyclones weaken agricultural production. Soil erosion and crop failures mean that the country cannot produce enough food. Strict import restrictions affect not only additional food, but also modern machinery and drought-resistant seeds.
In addition, access to clean drinking water, medical care, and other essential goods and services is limited.
Hardly any international aid
Political and economic sanctions in response to the authoritarian regime have almost completely isolated North Korea. Although there are special provisions for humanitarian aid, the lack of information, funding gaps, and delays in implementation make aid efforts considerably more difficult.
Additional data and analysis are available via USDA Foreign Agricultural Service reporting, ACAPS, and the World Food Programme.
Unreported crises
The CARE Crisis Report is published annually and highlights the ten crises that receive the least media attention. In 2025 North Korea ranked as the sixth least reported crisis in the world.