For decades, Western media has painted a one-sided picture of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), portraying it as a land of despair, poverty, and starvation. News outlets and political commentators frequently use selective imagery, outdated footage, and unverified claims to reinforce the idea that the people of North Korea live in misery. However, this narrative conveniently ignores the deep struggles within capitalist societies, where millions of people suffer from homelessness, medical debt, food insecurity, and job instability.
The question is rarely asked in reverse: Are Westerners poor? If poverty is defined by the ability to afford housing, healthcare, education, and a stable livelihood, then how does the average person in a capitalist country compare to someone in the DPRK? What the media does not tell you is that while Western societies are drowning in debt, suffering from skyrocketing living costs, and experiencing record levels of inequality, DPRK (many of you refer as North Korea) has structured its society around stability, self-sufficiency, and guaranteed essential services.
This article aims to dismantle the common misconceptions about poverty in the DPRK by comparing it to the realities of capitalist nations. We will explore fundamental aspects of life – housing, education, healthcare, employment, food security, cultural life, crime rates, and taxation – to provide a comprehensive understanding of how life in DPRK differs from the global capitalist system.
Housing: A Right, Not a Commodity
One of the biggest struggles for people in capitalist societies is securing stable housing. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and much of Europe, housing prices have surged beyond affordability. Rent in major cities drains a large percentage of monthly income, forcing many to live paycheck to paycheck or even share overcrowded apartments. Mortgages are a financial burden that lasts for decades, and homelessness continues to rise at an alarming rate.
Meanwhile, in the DPRK, housing is not a commodity – it is a basic right. The state provides homes to every family free of charge. No one in DPRK is forced to take out loans or work multiple jobs just to afford a place to sleep. New housing developments in Pyongyang and other developing cities across the whole country, including modern high-rise apartments and well-planned residential areas, showcase the Party and state’s commitment to improving living conditions for all citizens.
New Housing Development in Pyongyang Area
While capitalist nations boast about their economic superiority, the reality is that millions of people in these countries cannot even afford a home. In the U.S., entire families are forced to live in cars, and homeless shelters are overflowing. Even in prosperous nations like Germany or the UK, people struggle to buy homes due to sky-high property prices. The idea that Westerners enjoy better living conditions is an illusion when viewed through the lens of financial accessibility.
In capitalist societies, real estate is a business designed to benefit landlords, corporations, and banks—not the people. In the DPRK, housing serves its original purpose: providing shelter, security, and dignity to all citizens.
When asking the question, “Are North Koreans poor?”, one should also ask, “Are people in the West truly wealthy if they are buried in rent payments, mortgages, and homelessness?”
Education: A System That Prioritizes Knowledge, Not Profit
Education is a fundamental pillar of any society, yet in capitalist countries, it has become an industry designed to generate profit rather than foster learning. In many Western nations, parents face enormous financial burdens to secure quality education for their children. From the early years of private nurseries- where fees can reach thousands of dollars per year – to the skyrocketing costs of university tuition, education is increasingly a privilege rather than a right. Many families in the United States, for example, take on lifelong debt just to provide their children with higher education, with student loans surpassing $1.7 trillion as of recent estimates.
In stark contrast, the DPRK ensures that education is free and universal for all citizens, covering 12 years of compulsory schooling from nursery to high school. This system eliminates financial barriers, allowing every child – regardless of their background – to receive a well-rounded education without the burden of tuition fees, costly textbooks, or excessive material expenses. Schools are equipped with learning resources tailored to foster scientific knowledge, national culture, and ideological awareness, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to society.
While Western parents struggle with the rising costs of school supplies, tuition, and extracurricular activities, DPRK families do not have to worry about affording education. In many capitalist nations, especially in developing economies, underfunded public schools lead to high dropout rates, forcing families to prioritize survival over learning. Meanwhile, in DPRK, education is not a financial stressor – it is a guaranteed right that every child receives without the weight of debt or inequality.
Healthcare: A System Focused on Well-Being, Not Profit
Healthcare is one of the greatest markers of social inequality in capitalist nations. While many Western countries boast about medical advancements, the reality is that access to healthcare is often dictated by wealth. In the United States, medical bills are a leading cause of bankruptcy, with millions of people unable to afford basic treatments. Even in European countries with public healthcare systems, privatization is creeping in, making certain services increasingly expensive and difficult to access. In many cases, healthcare is treated as a commodity – where insurance companies, pharmaceutical corporations, and private hospitals profit from human suffering.
In contrast, the DPRK provides free universal healthcare to all its citizens, ensuring that no one is left untreated due to financial constraints. From childbirth to surgery, medical services are available at no cost, reaffirming the belief that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a luxury. Hospitals and clinics operate in every province, with a focus on both modern and Koryo Traditional Medicine – a system that integrates ancient healing methods with scientific advancements. This holistic approach allows the DPRK to utilize nationally available resources while also benefiting from global medical knowledge.
It is true that international sanctions have impacted the availability of certain medicines and equipment, but the country has adapted by developing its own pharmaceutical industry and focusing on self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, in capitalist countries, the pharmaceutical industry is notorious for overpricing medication, profiting off long-term illnesses, and even influencing food industries that contribute to widespread health issues. In the U.S., for example, corporations push unhealthy processed foods, leading to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease – conditions that generate billions in profits for the medical sector.
Despite global narratives attempting to paint DPRK’s healthcare system as inadequate, the reality is that its principles align with those of truly civilized societies – where healthcare is free, accessible, and not driven by corporate greed. While millions in the West must choose between paying rent or seeking medical treatment, North Koreans can visit doctors and receive necessary care without financial anxiety.
Employment & Workers’ Rights: Stability vs. Exploitation
In capitalist societies, job security is a privilege, not a right. Workers in many Western nations live in constant fear of layoffs, unstable contracts, and wage stagnation, as corporations prioritize profit over people. Employees can dedicate years to a company, only to be discarded overnight due to “cost-cutting measures” or economic downturns. Millions of workers in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and even parts of Europe live paycheck to paycheck, with no guarantees that they will have a job next month. For many, one missed paycheck means eviction, hunger, or debt accumulation.
The DPRK, in contrast, guarantees full employment for all citizens. There is no such thing as mass layoffs or the corporate-driven job insecurity that plagues capitalist economies. Every able citizen is provided with meaningful work, ensuring they can contribute to the country’s development while maintaining a dignified life. There are no exploitative gig economies, no zero-hour contracts, and no employees being treated as disposable assets. Work is not just a means of survival – it is a pillar of collective progress, and workers are valued as the backbone of society.
Beyond job stability, workers in the DPRK are not burdened by excessive working hours, corporate exploitation, or union suppression. In many capitalist nations, workers are pushed to their limits, often juggling multiple jobs just to afford rent and basic necessities. The stress of job insecurity and economic instability leads to severe mental health crises, which are deliberately ignored by the same systems that create them. Even in “wealthy” countries, workers often cannot afford proper medical treatment for job-related stress, burnout, or injuries – ironically making them lifelong customers of the very system that exploits them.
In contrast, DPRK workers do not have to live in fear of losing their livelihoods. They are not subjected to ruthless corporate competition, discrimination in hiring, or economic instability. Work is a fundamental right, not a privilege granted by corporations. Employment in the DPRK is built on collective responsibility and social stability, ensuring that no one is left behind or abandoned by the system.
Meanwhile, in capitalist societies, if you lose your job, you lose everything. Families may blame and abandon their unemployed relatives, government aid is often insufficient, and many are forced to rely on food banks or homeless shelters. The notion of “freedom” in the West is hollow when millions live under economic oppression – where survival depends not on effort or skill, but on the whims of corporate executives and market forces.
Food Security & Self-Sufficiency: A Nation That Feeds Itself
One of the most repeated myths about the DPRK is that its people live in constant hunger, relying on international aid to survive. Western propaganda loves to depict North Koreans as starving, helpless victims, while conveniently ignoring the millions of people in capitalist countries who rely on food banks, government aid, and even scavenging to survive.
In the United States alone, over 44 million people face food insecurity, with lines stretching for miles at food pantries. Even in the UK, one of the world’s richest economies, millions depend on food banks, as wages fail to keep up with rising food prices. Despite the vast agricultural capabilities of these nations, food is treated as a commodity for profit, rather than a necessity for survival. Supermarkets throw away tons of edible food daily, while millions of people go to bed hungry because they simply cannot afford to eat.
The DPRK, on the other hand, follows the principle of self-reliance in its food production. While sanctions and external pressures have posed challenges, the country has made significant efforts to develop independent agricultural systems that do not rely on Western imports. Agricultural reforms have improved crop yields, and a nationwide food distribution system ensures that all citizens have access to essential supplies, regardless of wealth or status.
A key element of DPRK’s food security strategy is its integration of traditional Korean farming techniques with modern agricultural science. Unlike capitalist countries where corporate-owned farms prioritize monoculture and genetically modified crops for profit, DPRK emphasizes sustainable farming practices, food self-sufficiency, and efficient land use to maximize output.
Of course, external sanctions have impacted food distribution – a deliberate strategy by Western powers to strangle the nation’s economy. However, despite these obstacles, the DPRK continues to enhance its food production and distribution models, ensuring that no one is left behind. Meanwhile, in so-called “free-market economies,” millions struggle to afford basic groceries while billion-dollar corporations waste millions of tons of food annually to maintain high prices.
A country cannot be called “rich” if millions of its citizens rely on soup kitchens and food stamps just to eat. And yet, this is the reality for many in the West. So when people ask, “Are North Koreans poor?”, the real question should be:
What kind of wealth exists in a system where food is abundant, but only for those who can afford it?
Cultural & Community Life: A Society Built on Unity, Not Isolation
In capitalist societies, individualism is promoted as the ultimate form of “freedom.” People are taught that they must compete against one another for success, often at the expense of their own well-being and relationships. This has created societies where alienation, loneliness, and social fragmentation are widespread. Neighbors barely know each other, families fall apart over financial struggles, and friendships are often transactional.
By contrast, the DPRK emphasizes collectivism, strong community bonds, and national unity. At the core of North Korean society is the inminban system, a neighborhood-based collective that ensures no one is left isolated or abandoned. In every district, people work together to support one another, helping with daily life, assisting the elderly, and maintaining a close-knit society. This sense of communal responsibility is nearly extinct in capitalist nations, where people are often left to fend for themselves.
One of the clearest examples of this contrast can be seen in how different societies react to economic hardship. In many Western nations, if someone loses their job, their own family may blame them and refuse to help. Friends and communities are often indifferent, leaving people to struggle alone. In the DPRK, the state and local communities ensure that no one is cast aside due to misfortune.
Beyond economic security, the DPRK also values cultural enrichment as an essential part of life. Unlike in capitalist societies, where cultural activities are often reserved for those who can afford them, DPRK actively promotes art, music, and physical fitness for all citizens. The country invests in mass games, choirs, theaters, and art programs that are free and open to everyone. Western culture, on the other hand, is often dictated by corporate interests, where artists must conform to industry standards or risk losing their livelihood.
Another major contrast is mental health. While capitalist nations face unprecedented levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, DPRK’s strong communal ties help prevent the isolation and stress that fuel mental health crises. Suicide rates in the West are climbing, as people struggle with economic pressure, job insecurity, and social alienation. Meanwhile, Korean people, despite external hardships, find strength in their collective identity and shared purpose.
Western nations glorify consumerism and material wealth while ignoring the fact that their societies are plagued by loneliness, alienation, and mental health crises. In contrast, North Koreans may not chase after luxury brands or extravagant lifestyles, but they live in a society where human connection, national pride, and cultural fulfillment are prioritized over corporate profit.
So, when people ask, “Are North Koreans poor?”, the real question should be:
What kind of wealth exists in a system where people are surrounded by luxury goods but starving for human connection?
Crime & Local Safety: A Society Without Fear
One of the greatest contradictions in the way Western media portrays the DPRK is how it ignores the extreme levels of crime, violence, and social disorder in capitalist societies while claiming that North Koreans live under oppression. The reality is that while people in the West fear walking alone at night, face the constant threat of crime, and worry about mass shootings, North Koreans live in one of the safest societies in the world.
In countries like the United States, violent crime is a daily reality. Mass shootings occur almost every week, with thousands of innocent people killed or injured every year. Criminal gangs operate in major cities, drug addiction is rampant, and even law enforcement is often involved in corruption and violence. Women in the West frequently fear harassment, assault, or worse – a terrifying reality that is often dismissed as an unavoidable part of “freedom.”
By contrast, in the DPRK, crime rates are extremely low, and people do not live in fear of being robbed, assaulted, or murdered. School shootings, mass homelessness, and drug epidemics are unheard of. Children walk to school without fear, and families live without the anxiety of losing everything to crime or economic ruin. The country’s emphasis on social order, discipline, and collective responsibility ensures that communities are safe, stable, and free from the chaos that plagues capitalist nations.
Another undeniable failure of capitalist societies is mass homelessness. In the United States, the UK, and even parts of Europe, entire families live on the streets, abandoned by the system. Western societies have normalized the sight of people sleeping in tents under bridges, digging through trash for food, and being harassed or even killed simply for being homeless. Meanwhile, luxury apartments sit empty because landlords and corporations hoard property to drive up prices.
This does not exist in the DPRK. There are no tent cities, no homeless encampments, and no children starving on the streets. Housing is a right, and everyone has a place to live, regardless of their income or status. In capitalist nations, people suffer not because there aren’t enough resources, but because the system values profit over human life.
So when people ask, “Are North Koreans poor?”, they should also ask:
What kind of wealth exists in a system where people fear for their lives every day – where crime, violence, and homelessness are accepted as normal?
Tax-Free Society: Keeping What You Earn
One of the biggest burdens for people living in capitalist economies is taxation – a system where citizens are forced to give up a significant portion of their earnings while receiving little in return. In countries like the United States, workers can lose 30% to 40% of their income to various taxes, only to still face high medical bills, expensive education, and unaffordable housing. In Europe, even with public healthcare and education, taxes remain high, and the cost of living continues to rise
Meanwhile, in the DPRK, taxation was completely abolished in 1966 – making it one of the only nations in the world where citizens keep everything they earn. While workers in the West struggle under income tax, sales tax, property tax, fuel tax, and countless other fees, North Koreans do not have to worry about the government taking away their wages.
This raises a critical question: If capitalist nations tax their citizens so heavily, why do millions of people still struggle to afford basic necessities? The truth is that in these societies, tax money is often misused. Instead of funding healthcare, infrastructure, or education, a large portion of taxes in countries like the U.S. goes toward military spending, corporate subsidies, and government inefficiencies. The people pay, but they do not benefit.
In contrast, the DPRK ensures that all public services – housing, healthcare, education, and employment are provided without the need for taxation. Roads, public transportation, and utilities are maintained for the people, without citizens being burdened by additional financial obligations. This system allows people to fully enjoy the fruits of their labor, while Western workers must constantly worry about tax hikes, rising costs, and economic instability.
Another important factor is corporate tax evasion in capitalist societies. While the working class is taxed relentlessly, the richest individuals and corporations often pay little to nothing. Billionaires hide their wealth in offshore accounts, multinational companies exploit loopholes, and politicians ensure that the elite stay protected while ordinary people suffer.
The DPRK’s model eliminates this exploitation of workers by ensuring that resources are used for the collective good, not to enrich the elite. Unlike in the West, where people are forced to pay taxes and still end up in debt, North Koreans contribute to society through their labor without having their wages stripped away.
So when people ask, “Are North Koreans poor?”, they should also ask:
What kind of wealth exists in a system where people work hard, only to have their earnings taken away while corporations and the wealthy hoard their fortunes?
Conclusion: Who Is Truly Poor?
For decades, Western media has relentlessly pushed the narrative that North Koreans live in extreme poverty, deprived of basic needs and suffering under hardship. However, when we examine the facts, a different reality emerges – one that exposes the deep structural failings of capitalist societies and forces us to rethink the definition of wealth and poverty.
In the DPRK, housing is free, while millions in the West struggle under crushing rent and mortgage debt. Education is free and universal, while Western families drown in student loans. Healthcare is a guaranteed right, while medical bills push Americans into bankruptcy and force Europeans to wait months for essential treatments. Employment is stable and protected, while workers in capitalist economies live under the constant threat of layoffs, wage stagnation, and corporate exploitation. Food is distributed fairly, while capitalist nations waste millions of tons of food while millions go hungry. Crime and social instability are rare, while capitalist societies are plagued by mass shootings, gang violence, drug epidemics, and widespread homelessness. The DPRK is tax-free, while the average Western worker loses nearly half of their income to taxation – only to still struggle to survive.
So, who is truly poor?
Is it the North Korean citizen who has a home, a job, healthcare, education, and a safe society? Or is it the worker in the West, who must sell their labor just to afford rent, who fears being unable to pay medical bills, who is drowning in taxes and debt, and who is constantly at risk of losing everything to crime, corporate greed, or an economic crash?
The reality is that poverty in capitalist nations is not a glitch in the system – it is the system. The rich get richer while the working class is left to struggle. People are sold the illusion of prosperity while they are buried in financial burdens. Society is structured to benefit the few at the cost of the many.
The DPRK, despite sanctions and external pressures, has built a society where people are not abandoned by their government, their communities, or their economy. While capitalist nations prioritize wealth for the elite, North Korea prioritizes stability, dignity, and security for all.
So the next time someone asks, “Are North Koreans poor?”, perhaps they should ask instead:
What kind of system allows billionaires to exist while millions cannot even afford food, shelter, or healthcare?
