Reasons why North Korea's population is only half of South Korea's: differences in the natural environment, differences in fertility policies, differences in medical standards.
Differences in the natural environment: According to statistics, the land area of North Korea is only 1/3 of that of South Korea, and its population is 1/4 of that of South Korea. The natural conditions in the north are harsher than those in the south, such as fewer plains, lower temperatures, and insufficient precipitation, so the upper limit of the number of people the north can support since ancient times is not very high, and with the accelerated process of urbanization, the environment of North Korea is becoming more and more polluted. .
Difference in fertility policy: North Korea and South Korea in the population policy there is also a big difference, the North Korean government has long been implementing family planning policy, emphasizing birth control, and even encourage two children "one child", while South Korea is the implementation of policies to encourage childbearing, the introduction of a series of "three years of child birth, child education free" and so on. The South Korean government has adopted policies to encourage childbirth, introducing a series of incentives such as "three years of childbirth and free education for children".
Differences in medical standards: The DPRK's medical facilities are relatively poor, with very few hospitals, a lack of medical equipment and medicines, and a worrying state of health care, while the ROK has a high level of medical science and technology and a good medical environment.
Natural resources of the DPRK
Mineral resources: the DPRK has more than 400 kinds of mineral resources, of which more than 200 kinds are useful minerals, and the minerals with rich reserves are iron, tin, lead, zinc, copper, silver, gold, tungsten, molybdenum and other ferrous and nonferrous metal ores, as well as non-metallic ores such as coal, limestone, magnesite, graphite, and graphite ore and magnesite reserves in the world. magnesite reserves are among the highest in the world, and there are many hot springs and mineral springs all over the DPRK, which are rich in springs conducive to health and medical treatment.
Biological resources: As of 2013, there are 8,465 species of state-registered animals, including 1,434 species of vertebrates, including 97 species of beasts, 394 species of birds, 27 species of reptiles, 14 species of amphibians, and more than 850 kinds of fishes; and there are also many invertebrates such as squids, shellfish, crabs, shrimps, insects, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and so on, and the DPRK has 9,548 species of plants. There are 9,548 species of plants in the DPRK, among which there are 4,280 species of higher plants, 5,268 species of lower plants, and more than 800 species of Korean endemic species.
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia - North Korea