Switzerland vs Norway

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorSwitzerlandNorwayDifference
Population (2025) (people)9,092,4365,610,870+62.1%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)1,044531+96.6%
GDP per capita ($)114,76994,594+21.3%
Life expectancy (years)84.483.2
Area (km²)41,291624,500−93.4%
Population density (people/km²)2209+2,350.9%
Median age (years)43.040.2
Internet usage (%)97.399.0
Unemployment rate (%)4.94.6
Inflation (%)0.23.1
Urban population (%)85.783.6
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)6,72210,435−35.6%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)0.722.09−65.6%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)2.274.53−49.9%
Military expenditure per capita ($)7391,860−60.2%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)20,00025,000−20.0%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)2.24.5−50.6%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.400.85−52.9%

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

Key differences

  • On population (2025), Switzerland is 62.1% higher than Norway.
  • On gdp (nominal), Switzerland is 96.6% higher than Norway.
  • On gdp per capita, Switzerland is 21.3% higher than Norway.
Switzerland and Norway — core indicators
02 mn4 mn6 mn8 mn10 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — Switzerland: 9.092.436GDP (nominal) — Switzerland: 1.044GDP per capita — Switzerland: 114.769Area — Switzerland: 41.291Population (2025) — Norway: 5.610.870GDP (nominal) — Norway: 531GDP per capita — Norway: 94.594Area — Norway: 624.500
SwitzerlandNorway

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

Other comparisons involving Switzerland or Norway.

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