Updated
Overview
The United States has 61 times the population of Norway: 341.78 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 58 times the size of Norway's, at $30.77T versus $530.76B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $530.76B | 2025 | $29.18T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $90,027 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.2% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 3.1% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $6,273 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,257 | — | 2026 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 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 States is growing faster: 2.2% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.9% in the United States and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Norway: a price level of 91 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $6,273 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 38.5 (the United States) and 39.8 (Norway).
Life expectancy is 4.3 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 78.9).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 30 times the size of Norway: 9,833,517 km² versus 323,802 km².
The United States is far more densely settled: 35 people per km² against 17.
Military
The United States spends 96 times as much on defence as Norway: $997.31B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.1%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than Norway?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so the United States is 30 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or Norway?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $90,027. Total GDP tells a different story: $30.77T for the United States versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or Norway?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).