How stable is North Korea's economy?

Answer 1

North Korea practices a trade policy of autarky, which is defined as being completely self-sufficient, as a country, in the production of goods and services. North Korea is a perfect example of why attempting autarky in a modern economy is completely nonsensical. No country can provide all of the types of raw materials and foodstuffs necessary to sustain the levels of population and industrial production prevalent in any modern society. As a result of autarky, the country remains in grinding poverty.

As a result of autarky, North Korea's economy is incredibly stable, meaning that it does not have large rises or falls. Rises and falls in an economy usually come from investment, speculation, international trade spikes, fads, and entrepreneurship. Since North Korea has none of these things, its economy does not fluctuate. However, this stability is undesirable since it is consistent poverty with no chance for improvement.