Updated
Overview
Israel has about 80% more people than Norway: 10.12 million against 5.61 million (2025).
Israel's economy is 15% larger than Norway's, at $610.78B versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $60,337 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Israel | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $610.78B | $530.76B | 2025 | $540.38B / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $60,337 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.9% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.0% | 3.1% | 2025 | 3.1% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.5% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 101 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,383 | Higher: $6,440 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,589 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.67 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.12 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 9.40 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.2 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.75 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 88% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 20,770 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 487.4/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 53 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.6 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $46.51B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.8% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 178,000 | 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
Israel is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.0% in Israel and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Norway: a price level of 91 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $3,383 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the far younger society: median age 29.2 versus 39.8 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 88% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Israel is only about 1/16 the size of Norway: 20,770 km² versus 323,802 km².
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 17.
Military
Israel spends 4.5 times as much on defence as Norway: $46.51B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Israel fields the larger armed forces: 178,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Israel bigger than Norway?
- Norway is larger by land area. Israel covers 20,770 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Norway is 16 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Israel or Norway?
- Israel has the larger population: 10.12 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Israel richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $60,337. Total GDP tells a different story: $610.78B for Israel versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Israel or Norway?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).