South Hwanghae is the top region by rural population in Democratic People's Republic of Korea. As of 2008, rural population in South Hwanghae was 1.49 million persons that accounts for 16.12% of Democratic People's Republic of Korea's rural population. The top 5 regions (others are South Pyongan, North Pyongan, South Hamgyong, and North Hwanghae) account for 71.51% of it. Democratic People's Republic of Korea's total rural population was estimated at 9.23 million persons in 2008.