The following is a comparison between Sweden and Norway, two countries located in the Scandinavian region of Europe. Let’s read.
Sweden and Norway – country comparison
Flags
GDP
• Sweden and Norway are two of the most prosperous countries in Europe. Sweden has a larger GDP, while Norway has a higher GDP per capita. The table below compares the GDP and GDP per capita of the two countries.
2025 (IMF)
Sweden
Norway
Currency
Swedish Krona
Norwegian Krone
GDP (nominal, USD)
$669 billion
$530.76 billion
GDP per capita (nominal, USD)
$62.66 thousand
$94.47 thousand
GDP (PPP, international $)
$790.91 billion
$626.7 billion
GDP per capita (PPP, international $)
$74.08 thousand
$111.55 thousand
Population
2025 estimate
Sweden
Norway
Population
10.7 million
5.6 million
Population aged 0-14
17%
16%
Population aged 15-64
62%
65%
Population aged 65 and older
21%
19%
Total fertility rate, per woman
1.4
1.4
Life
Sweden
Norway
Life expectancy at birth (2023/UN)
83.26
83.31
Human Development Index rank (2023)
5th
2nd
Human Development Index value
0.959
0.970
Overview
• Sweden has a larger area compared to Norway. It is about 1.17 times the size of Norway.
• Sweden is more populous than Norway. Both these countries are sparsely populated.
Sweden
Norway
Area
approximately 450,300 sq km
approximately 385,200 sq km
Population
10.7 million (2025 estimate)
5.6 million (2025 estimate)
Capital city
Stockholm
Oslo
Largest city
Stockholm
Oslo
Most spoken language
Swedish
Norwegian
Most popular sport
Football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Stockholm, Sweden
Geography
Sweden
Norway
Region
Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Forest cover (2023)
68.7%
33.5%
Total number of time zones
1
1
Highest mountain
Kebnekaise (2,097 m/6,880 ft)
Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m/8,100 ft)
Largest lake
Lake Vänern
Lake Mjøsa
Largest island
Gotland (3,184 sq km/1,229 sq mi)
Spitsbergen, Svalbard (37,673 sq km/14,546 sq mi)
Tourism
Sweden
Norway
International tourist arrivals
8.7 million (2024)
5 million (2022)
Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
15
8
Popular places to visit
Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Visby, Uppsala, Abisko National Park, Kalmar, Öland Island, Dalarna, Åre, etc.
