Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates has 2.1 times the population of Norway: 11.51 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates and $530.76B for Norway.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $552.32B | $530.76B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $50,274 | Higher: $94,594 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 1.1% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.3% | 3.1% | 2025 | 1.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 91 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $6,440 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.1 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $10.44B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 2.1% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 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
The United Arab Emirates is growing faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Arab Emirates: a price level of 63 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 39.8 years.
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 74% smaller than Norway: 83,600 km² versus 323,802 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 17.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 2.2 times as much on defence as Norway: $22.76B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.1%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Norway?
- Norway is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Norway is 3.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Norway?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $50,274. Total GDP tells a different story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Norway?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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