Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has 3.2 times the population of Norway: 18.09 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 2.5 times the size of Norway's, at $1.33T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $73,684 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $530.76B | 2025 | $1.23T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $73,684 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 3.3% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.9% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $6,402 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,538 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 97% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.3 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in the Netherlands and 3.1% in Norway.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $6,402 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.5 (the Netherlands) and 39.8 (Norway).
Life expectancy is 1.2 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 82.0).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 84%.
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is 87% smaller than Norway: 41,850 km² versus 323,802 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 17.
Military
The Netherlands spends 2.2 times as much on defence as Norway: $23.18B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Netherlands fields the larger armed forces: 41,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than Norway?
- Norway is larger by land area. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Norway is 7.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Norway?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $73,684. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Norway?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).