North Korea has adjusted the retirement age for office workers, citing the country’s aging population and demographic transformations. A revised labor law implemented in 2024 now sets the retirement age at 63 for men and 58 for women who are eligible for state pension benefits. This change, detailed in a North Korean academic paper, marks an increase of three years from the previous retirement age.
The amendment, approved by the North’s assembly standing committee in September 2024, focuses specifically on office workers, maintaining the retirement age for manual laborers and farmers. This move aligns with the evolving pension system and the growing significance of intellectual labor, as stated in the academic paper. North Korea’s decision reflects the challenges posed by an aging population and rising life expectancy.
North Korea faces demographic challenges, including a low birth rate and an aging population. Data from South Korea’s Ministry of Data and Statistics revealed that in 2024, individuals aged 65 or older made up 11.4% of North Korea’s population of 25.87 million. This demographic composition categorizes North Korea as an “aging society” based on international standards. Additionally, North Korea’s total fertility rate in 2024 was recorded at 1.60, below the replacement level of 2.1.
In another related development, North Korea revised its constitution in October 2024, increasing the minimum working age from 16 to 17 and adjusting the voting and candidacy age to 18. These changes reflect the country’s efforts to adapt to demographic shifts and changing societal needs.
