Sweden vs Norway

Every indicator for Sweden and Norway side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorSwedenNorwayDifference
Population (2025) (people)10,596,6205,610,870+88.9%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)669531+26.0%
GDP per capita ($)63,13394,594−33.3%
Life expectancy (years)84.183.2
Area (km²)528,660624,500−15.3%
Population density (people/km²)209+123.1%
Median age (years)41.140.2
Internet usage (%)95.899.0
Unemployment rate (%)8.74.6
Inflation (%)0.73.1
Urban population (%)89.183.6
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)12,04010,435+15.4%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.002.09−4.3%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)4.124.53−9.1%
Military expenditure per capita ($)1,1361,860−38.9%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)15,00025,000−40.0%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)1.44.5−68.2%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.270.85−68.2%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of Sweden relative to Norway; a positive value favors Sweden. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.

Key differences

  • On population (2025), Sweden is 88.9% higher than Norway.
  • On gdp (nominal), Sweden is 26.0% higher than Norway.
  • On gdp per capita, Sweden is 33.3% lower than Norway.
Sweden and Norway — core indicators
05 mn10 mn15 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — Sweden: 10.596.620GDP (nominal) — Sweden: 669GDP per capita — Sweden: 63.133Area — Sweden: 528.660Population (2025) — Norway: 5.610.870GDP (nominal) — Norway: 531GDP per capita — Norway: 94.594Area — Norway: 624.500
SwedenNorway

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving Sweden or Norway.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI