US CIA: North Korean Male Military Service Shortened from 10 to 7-8 Years

North Korea's Low Birthrate and Aging Trend Continue, Population Aged 65 and Over at 9.75%

[Asia Economy Reporter Bora Lee] It has been revealed that the military service period for North Korean men has been reduced from 10 years to 7-8 years.

On the 14th, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook stated, "Both North Korean men and women are required to fulfill military service obligations around the age of 17, with men obligated to serve for 10 years and women for 5 years," adding, "According to some information, the service period for men was shortened to 7-8 years last year."

The National Intelligence Service reported in February last year during a briefing to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that North Korea's military service period was shortened from the current 9-10 years to 7-8 years for men, and from 6-7 years to 5 years for women.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The National Intelligence Service explained at the time that the adjustment of the military service period appears to be aimed at securing more young labor force to implement the new five-year economic development plan presented at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that the trend of low birthrate and aging continues in North Korea, causing the proportion of the working-age population to steadily decline. North Korea's population this year is estimated at 25,955,138, an increase of 123,823 from last year, with those aged 65 and over accounting for 9.75% of the population.

A population aged 65 or older exceeding 7% is classified as an "aging society," and over 14% as an "aged society." North Korea has thus entered an aging society.

The low birthrate trend in North Korea is also evident. The total fertility rate is 1.9, down 0.01 from last year, and the crude birth rate, which refers to the number of births per 1,000 people, is 14.21, a decrease of 0.14 from last year. Consequently, the population growth rate was only 0.46% (ranked 157th worldwide). However, these figures are higher than South Korea's total fertility rate (1.1), crude birth rate (6.92), and population growth rate (0.24%).

Life expectancy also falls short of South Korea's. Although North Korea's life expectancy increased by about 2 years compared to 8 years ago, South Koreans live on average about 11 years longer than North Koreans. North Korea's life expectancy this year is estimated at an average of 71.77 years (men 67.8 years, women 86.24 years).