Japan vs Norway

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorJapanNorwayDifference
Population (2025) (people)123,366,7345,610,870+2,098.7%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)4,435531+735.2%
GDP per capita ($)35,95194,594−62.0%
Life expectancy (years)84.083.2
Area (km²)377,969624,500−39.5%
Population density (people/km²)3269+3,532.8%
Median age (years)49.440.2
Internet usage (%)85.599.0
Unemployment rate (%)2.54.6
Inflation (%)3.23.1
Urban population (%)92.383.6
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)55,27410,435+429.7%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)1.372.09−34.4%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)3.254.53−28.3%
Military expenditure per capita ($)4481,860−75.9%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)261,00025,000+944.0%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)2.14.5−52.5%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.380.85−55.3%

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

Key differences

  • On population (2025), Japan is 2,098.7% higher than Norway.
  • On gdp (nominal), Japan is 735.2% higher than Norway.
  • On gdp per capita, Japan is 62.0% lower than Norway.
Japan and Norway — core indicators
050 mn100 mn150 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — Japan: 123.366.734GDP (nominal) — Japan: 4.435GDP per capita — Japan: 35.951Area — Japan: 377.969Population (2025) — Norway: 5.610.870GDP (nominal) — Norway: 531GDP per capita — Norway: 94.594Area — Norway: 624.500
JapanNorway

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

Other comparisons involving Japan or Norway.

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