Updated
Overview
Belgium has 2.1 times the population of Norway: 11.94 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Belgium's economy is about 35% larger than Norway's, at $725.47B versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $60,750 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Belgium | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $725.47B | $530.76B | 2025 | $664.56B / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $60,750 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.5% | 3.1% | 2025 | 3.1% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 5.9% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 81 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $7,044 | $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,387 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.94 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 11.96 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.7% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.9 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.39 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.3 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 30,528 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 391.2/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 85 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.3 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.56B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 24,000 | 25,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Belgium, 1.1% for Norway).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.5% in Belgium and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Belgium: a price level of 81 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $6,440 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Norway is the younger society: median age 39.8 versus 41.9 years.
Geography
By land area, Belgium is only about 1/11 the size of Norway: 30,528 km² versus 323,802 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 17.
Military
Norway spends 22% more on defence than Belgium: $10.44B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Norway carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Norway fields the larger armed forces: 25,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Belgium bigger than Norway?
- Norway is larger by land area. Belgium covers 30,528 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Norway is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Belgium or Norway?
- Belgium has the larger population: 11.94 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Belgium richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $60,750. Total GDP tells a different story: $725.47B for Belgium versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Belgium or Norway?
- Norway spends more: $10.44B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).