People & economy

Norway: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Norway: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
5,314,336
#118 of 197 countries
Area
323,802 km²
#70 of 248 countries
Density
16.4 / km²
#211 of 245 countries

Norway has a population of 5,314,336 spread across 323,802 km², giving it an average density of 16.4 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
41.0
Life Expectancy
82.9 yrs
Government
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Norway is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 84% of US levels, meaning costs are comparable to the United States.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$87,497
Cost of Living
84% of US
Inflation
5.5%
Inequality
26.9
Low
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$91,100
Unemployment
4.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 1.9% of Norway's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$2,196,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
1.9%
Outbound Tourists
1,690,000
Air Passengers
12,277,222
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Norway there are 4.97 doctors per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
4.97/1k
Hospital Beds
3.3/1k
Health Spend
$8296/person
Infant Mortality
1.9/1k
Immunization
96%
Safe Drinking Water
100.0%
Basic Sanitation
98.1%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Norway, 99% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 112 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
99.0%
Mobile Subs
112/100
Broadband
45.4/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data