A UN report shows that some 70 percent of North Koreans still rely on food rations despite the growing presence of markets in the reclusive country. 

According a report by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), 18 million North Koreans are still dependent on food rations with only 16 percent of all residents receiving sufficient supplies of food.

Last year, North Korean authorities supplied an average of 383 grams of rationed food per person each day, or 64 percent of the daily minimum 600 grams recommended by the WFP.

The figure is also 67 percent of the 573 gram level targeted by the North Korean government for food rations.

The report stated that rations in August and September last year were the lowest since 2012 at 250 grams.

The report attributed the drop to severe drought and increased demand of seeds for cultivating or storage purposes.