Updated
Overview
Iran has 16 times the population of Norway: 92.42 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Norway's economy is about 45% larger than Iran's, at $530.76B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $530.76B | 2025 | $436.91B / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 32.5% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 91 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $6,440 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 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
Norway grew while the other economy contracted: 1.1% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.1%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 39.8 years.
Life expectancy is 5.3 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 5.1 times the size of Norway: 1,648,195 km² versus 323,802 km².
Iran is far more densely settled: 56 people per km² against 17.
Military
Norway spends 32% more on defence than Iran: $10.44B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Norway?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Iran is 5.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Norway?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Norway?
- Norway spends more: $10.44B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).