Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Norway instead of Laos, you would:

Health

live 14.4 years longer

In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In Norway, that number is 83 years (80 years for men, 85 years for women) as of 2022.

be 4.4 times more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Norway, that number is 23.1% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 8.5 times more money

Laos has a GDP per capita of $7,900 as of 2022, while in Norway, the GDP per capita is $67,500 as of 2022.

be 15.4% less likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 3.8% of adults are unemployed as of 2022. In Norway, that number is 3.2% as of 2022.

be 30.6% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Laos, 18.3% live below the poverty line as of 2018. In Norway, however, that number is 12.7% as of 2019.

pay a 60.5% higher top tax rate

Laos has a top tax rate of 24.0% as of 2016. In Norway, the top tax rate is 38.5% as of 2017.

Life

be 98.4% less likely to die during childbirth

In Laos, approximately 126.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Norway, 2.0 women do as of 2020.

be 93.9% less likely to die during infancy

In Laos, approximately 37.8 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Norway, on the other hand, 2.3 children do as of 2022.

have 47.5% fewer children

In Laos, there are approximately 19.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Norway, there are 10.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 59.7% more likely to have internet access

In Laos, approximately 62.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Norway, about 99.0% do as of 2021.

be 12.6% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Laos, approximately 89% of people have improved drinking water access (97% in urban areas, and 84% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Norway, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 2.6 times more on education

Laos spends 2.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Norway spends 5.9% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 4.2 times more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Norway, that number is 11.4% of GDP as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Ministry of Finance, Norwegian Tax Administration.

Norway: At a glance

Norway is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 304,282 sq km. Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Key domestic issues include immigration and integration of ethnic minorities, maintaining the country's extensive social safety net with an aging population, and preserving economic competitiveness.
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How big is Norway compared to Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.

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