Updated
Overview
South Africa has 12 times the population of Norway: 64.75 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Norway's economy is 24% larger than South Africa's, at $530.76B versus $427.18B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $530.76B | 2025 | $400.26B / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.1% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 4.4% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $6,440 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 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 (1.1% for South Africa, 1.1% for Norway).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 39.8 years.
Life expectancy is 16.8 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 66.3).
Norway is considerably more urbanized: 84% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 3.8 times the size of Norway: 1,221,037 km² versus 323,802 km².
South Africa is far more densely settled: 53 people per km² against 17.
Military
Norway spends 3.7 times as much on defence as South Africa: $10.44B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Norway carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Norway?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so South Africa is 3.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Norway?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Norway?
- Norway spends more: $10.44B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).