Updated
Overview
South Korea has 9.2 times the population of Norway: 51.68 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 3.5 times the size of Norway's, at $1.87T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $530.76B | 2025 | $1.71T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 3.1% | 2025 | 2.3% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $6,440 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 98% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 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 (1.0% for South Korea, 1.1% for Norway).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Norway is the younger society: median age 39.8 versus 45.6 years.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 69% smaller than Norway: 100,210 km² versus 323,802 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 17.
Military
South Korea spends 4.6 times as much on defence as Norway: $47.57B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Norway?
- Norway is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Norway is 3.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Norway?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Norway?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).