Updated
Overview
China has 251 times the population of Norway: 1.41 billion people against 5.61 million (2025).
China's economy is 37 times the size of Norway's, at $19.50T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $530.76B | 2025 | $18.74T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 3.1% | 2025 | 0.2% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $6,440 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 5.61 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 99% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 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
China is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Norway runs the hotter price environment: 3.1% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (China) and 39.8 (Norway).
Life expectancy is 5.1 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 78.0).
Norway is considerably more urbanized: 84% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 30 times the size of Norway: 9,596,960 km² versus 323,802 km².
China is far more densely settled: 147 people per km² against 17.
Military
China spends 30 times as much on defence as Norway: $313.66B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Norway?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so China is 30 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Norway?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Norway?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).