Updated
Overview
Poland has 6.5 times the population of Norway: 36.44 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Poland's economy is 2.0 times the size of Norway's, at $1.04T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $28,420 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $530.76B | 2025 | $914.70B / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $28,420 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 3.8% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,302 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,241 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.4 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 273 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.1 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $38.00B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 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
Poland is growing faster: 3.6% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Poland and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Poland: a price level of 52 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $2,302 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Norway is the younger society: median age 39.8 versus 42.5 years.
Life expectancy is 4.8 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 78.4).
Norway is considerably more urbanized: 84% of people live in cities, against 60%.
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 89% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Poland is almost exactly the same size as Norway: 312,679 km² versus 323,802 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Poland is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 17.
Military
Poland spends 3.6 times as much on defence as Norway: $38.00B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than Norway?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Poland covers 312,679 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², a difference of under 4%.
- Which has more people, Poland or Norway?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $28,420. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.04T for Poland versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or Norway?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).