Updated
Overview
Switzerland has about 60% more people than Norway: 9.09 million against 5.61 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.0 times the size of Norway's, at $1.04T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $94,594 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Switzerland | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $530.76B | 2025 | $936.56B / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $114,769 | $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.3% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.2% | 3.1% | 2025 | 1.1% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 4.9% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 112 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $7,309 | $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $4,784 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $9.04 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 9.09 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 8.93 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.9 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 97% | Higher: 99% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,284 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 220.2/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 32 Mt | 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.72B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 20,000 | 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 (1.3% for Switzerland, 1.1% for Norway).
Norway runs the hotter price environment: 3.1% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Norway: a price level of 91 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $6,440 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Norway is the younger society: median age 39.8 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 1.2 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 83.2).
Geography
By land area, Switzerland is 87% smaller than Norway: 41,284 km² versus 323,802 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 17.
Military
Norway spends about 55% more on defence than Switzerland: $10.44B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Norway carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Norway fields the larger armed forces: 25,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Switzerland bigger than Norway?
- Norway is larger by land area. Switzerland covers 41,284 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Norway is 7.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Switzerland or Norway?
- Switzerland has the larger population: 9.09 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Switzerland richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $94,594. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.04T for Switzerland versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Switzerland or Norway?
- Norway spends more: $10.44B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).