Updated
Overview
Brazil has 38 times the population of Norway: 212.81 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 4.3 times the size of Norway's, at $2.28T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $530.76B | 2025 | $2.18T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 4.4% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 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
Brazil is growing faster: 2.3% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 5.0% in Brazil and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Brazil: a price level of 46 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Brazil is the younger society: median age 34.8 versus 39.8 years.
Life expectancy is 7.1 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 76.0).
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 26 times the size of Norway: 8,515,767 km² versus 323,802 km².
Military
Brazil spends 2.0 times as much on defence as Norway: $20.95B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Norway carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Norway?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Brazil is 26 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Norway?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $10,713. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Norway?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).