Updated
Overview
Romania has 3.4 times the population of Norway: 19.02 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Norway's economy is 24% larger than Romania's, at $530.76B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $428.68B | Higher: $530.76B | 2025 | $382.77B / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $22,538 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.7% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 7.2% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 5.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,722 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $906 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 69 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.7% for Romania, 1.1% for Norway).
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 3.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Norway is the younger society: median age 39.8 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 6.7 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 76.5).
Norway is considerably more urbanized: 84% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Romania is 26% smaller than Norway: 238,391 km² versus 323,802 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Romania is far more densely settled: 80 people per km² against 17.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $8.72B (Romania) and $10.44B (Norway).
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than Norway?
- Norway is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Norway is 36% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or Norway?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $428.68B for Romania versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or Norway?
- Norway spends more: $10.44B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).