Updated
Overview
India has 261 times the population of Norway: 1.46 billion people against 5.61 million (2025).
India's economy is 7.5 times the size of Norway's, at $3.96T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $530.76B | 2025 | $3.91T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 3.1% | 2025 | 5.0% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 5.61 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 99% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 39.8 years.
Life expectancy is 10.9 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 72.2).
Norway is considerably more urbanized: 84% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 10 times the size of Norway: 3,287,590 km² versus 323,802 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 17.
Military
India spends 8.3 times as much on defence as Norway: $86.13B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Norway?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so India is 10 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Norway?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Norway?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).