Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 12 times the population of Norway: 69.49 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 7.5 times the size of Norway's, at $4.00T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $57,602 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $530.76B | 2025 | $3.64T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $57,602 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.4% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 3.3% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 4.7% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,532 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 313 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.5 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 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 (1.4% for the United Kingdom, 1.1% for Norway).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in the United Kingdom and 3.1% in Norway.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $3,567 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (the United Kingdom) and 39.8 (Norway).
Life expectancy is 1.8 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 25% smaller than Norway: 242,900 km² versus 323,802 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
The United Kingdom is far more densely settled: 286 people per km² against 17.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 7.8 times as much on defence as Norway: $81.76B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The United Kingdom fields the larger armed forces: 153,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than Norway?
- Norway is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Norway is 33% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or Norway?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $57,602. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or Norway?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).