Updated
Overview
France has 12 times the population of Norway: 68.72 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
France's economy is 6.3 times the size of Norway's, at $3.37T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $48,986 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $530.76B | 2025 | $3.16T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $48,986 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.8% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 3.1% | 2025 | 2.0% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $5,024 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,036 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.0 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 264 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.0 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 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 (0.8% for France, 1.1% for Norway).
Norway runs the hotter price environment: 3.1% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in France: a price level of 77 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $5,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Norway is the younger society: median age 39.8 versus 42.3 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 89% of the population).
Geography
By land area, France is 2.0 times the size of Norway: 643,801 km² versus 323,802 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
France is far more densely settled: 107 people per km² against 17.
Military
France spends 6.2 times as much on defence as Norway: $64.68B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than Norway?
- France is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so France is 2.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, France or Norway?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $48,986. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.37T for France versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, France or Norway?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).