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N. Korea's GDP estimated at $40 billion: CIA
SEOUL, March 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) remained unchanged at $40 billion for the third consecutive year in 2007, according to the latest report by the top U.S. intelligence agency.
But the North's per capita GDP rose by about 5 percent to $1,900 last year from $1,800 in 2006, the Central Intelligence Agency said in its World Factbook 2008, which is now available on its Website.
GDP, the broadest measure of an economy's performance, is the total value of goods and services produced within the economy in a given period.
South Korea's GDP was 1.19 trillion and per capita GDP was $24,500 during the same period.
The CIA noted that since North Korea does not publish any reliable national income accounts data, the estimates were derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP estimates for North Korea that were made in a study conducted for the OECD. The 1999 figure was extrapolated to 2007 using estimated real growth rates for North Korea's GDP and an inflation factor based on the U.S. GDP deflator, the agency said.
It also said North Korea's official exchange rate was 140 won per dollar as of 2007 but the market rate was 2,500-3,000 won per dollar as of December 2006.
North Korea's population was estimated at 23.3 million as of last July, a rise of 0.785 percent, or some 188,700, from 23,113,019 a year ago.
The crude birth rate, or the number of newborn babies for every 1,000 people, was 15.06 as of January 2007, or 0.48 lower than a year earlier.
The crude death rate was 7.21, up 0.08 from January 2006, the factbook said.
The average life expectancy for North Koreans was estimated to be 71.92 years in July, 0.27 year longer than a year earlier. Men's average life expectancy was 69.18 years and that of women was 74.80 years, according to the factbook.
It also provided updated information on the North Korea nuclear dispute, including Pyongyang's "failure" to fully account for its nuclear programs by the end of 2007, a deadline set under a six-party deal in return for economic and political incentives.
The report briefly mentioned the landmark second summit between leaders of the two Koreas.
"During the October 2007 summit, South Korea also agreed to develop some of North Korea's infrastructure and natural resources and light industry. Firm political control remains the Communist government's overriding concern, which will likely inhibit the loosening of economic regulations," it said.
sshim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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