Norway
Kingdom of Norway
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +0.57%
Norway is a Northern Europe country of around 5.61 million residents, placing it above the global median in population. The country extends across 386,224 km², translating to a density of 15 people per km². Its capital is Oslo, and official languages include Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian Bokmål, and Sami, while the Norwegian krone serves as the national currency.
Population
5,606,944
Area
386,224 km²
Density
15/km²
World Rank
#118
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. The gap between the birth rate (9.4 per thousand) and death rate (7.9 per thousand) has narrowed considerably. The population skews older, with 18.8% aged 65 or above and 16.2% under 15, signaling rising dependency ratios.
General Information
- Capital
- Oslo
- Region
- Europe
- Subregion
- Northern Europe
- Continent
- Europe
- Languages
- Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian Bokmål, Sami
- Currencies
- Norwegian krone (kr)
- Calling Code
- +47
- Top-Level Domain
- .no
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC+01:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 5,606,944
- Land Area
- 386,224 km²
- Population Density
- 15 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +0.57%
- Annual Growth
- +31,960 people
- Daily Growth
- +88 people
- World Population Share
- 0.07%
- Coordinates
- 62.00°, 10.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
With a GDP per capita of roughly $86.8k, Norway sits comfortably in the high-income bracket by World Bank standards. Unemployment sits at 4.6%, below the global average of 5.8%. Income distribution is comparatively egalitarian, reflected in a Gini index of 26.5.
Life Expectancy
83.1 years
GDP per Capita
$86,785
Birth Rate
9.4 per 1,000
Death Rate
7.9 per 1,000
Urban Population
83.3%
Fertility Rate
1.40 births/woman
Infant Mortality
1.9 per 1,000
Unemployment
4.6%
Internet Users
99.0%
Under 15
16.2%
Over 65
18.8%
Health Spending
9.4% GDP
Gini Index
26.5
Age Distribution
0-14 years
908K
15-64 years
3.6M
65+ years
1.1M
Urbanization
Urbanization is well advanced, with roughly 83.3% of the population residing in towns and cities, above the global mean of 56%. The capital, Oslo, remains the primary hub for government and commerce. Net inward migration of 29798.0 per thousand is contributing to urban growth and reshaping community demographics.
4.7M
83.3%
934,678
16.7%
Health & Education Indicators
Life expectancy reaches 83.1 years, ranking among the highest globally and reflecting robust healthcare systems and living standards. Infant mortality is remarkably low at 1.9 per thousand live births, indicative of high-quality maternal and neonatal care. Health expenditure accounts for about 9.4% of GDP, shaping the reach and quality of medical services available to the population.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Norway
Norway has 6 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Norway is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. Below-replacement fertility of 1.4 births per woman means natural growth alone cannot sustain the current population level indefinitely. As a United Nations member state, Norway participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 5,606,944 |
| 2030 | 5,739,699 |
| 2035 | 5,918,083 |
| 2040 | 6,109,982 |
| 2045 | 6,315,179 |
| 2050 | 6,533,553 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Norway.
Largest Cities in Norway
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Norway by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Norway?
The population of Norway is approximately 5.6 million as of 2026, making it #118 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Norway?
The capital of Norway is Oslo.
What languages are spoken in Norway?
The main languages spoken in Norway are Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian Bokmål, Sami.
How big is Norway?
Norway covers an area of 386,224 km² with a population density of 15 people per km².
Is Norway growing or shrinking?
Norway is growing at a rate of 0.57% per year, adding approximately 31,960 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Norway?
The average life expectancy in Norway is 83.1 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Norway?
The GDP per capita of Norway is $86,785.