Updated
Overview
Russia has 26 times the population of Norway: 143.51 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 4.8 times the size of Norway's, at $2.56T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $530.76B | 2025 | $2.17T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 6.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 91 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $6,440 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 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 (1.0% for Russia, 1.1% for Norway).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 3.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 39.8 (Norway).
Life expectancy is 9.7 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 53 times the size of Norway: 17,098,242 km² versus 323,802 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Norway is far more densely settled: 17 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 14 times as much on defence as Norway: $148.97B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Norway?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Russia is 53 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Norway?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Norway?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).