Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Norway instead of North Korea, you would:

Health

live 10.8 years longer

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 72 years (68 years for men, 76 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 3.4 times more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 6.8% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Norway, that number is 23.1% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 53.2 times more money

North Korea has a GDP per capita of $1,700 as of 2015, while in Norway, the GDP per capita is $90,500 as of 2023.

be 19.3% more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Norway, that number is 3.6% as of 2023.

Life

be 98.1% less likely to die during childbirth

In North Korea, approximately 107.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Norway, 2.0 women do as of 2020.

be 89.6% less likely to die during infancy

In North Korea, approximately 22.2 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 21.2% fewer children

In North Korea, there are approximately 13.2 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 82.8% more likely to have access to electricity

In North Korea, approximately 55% of the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Norway, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

Geography

see 10.1 times more coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Norway, that number is 25,148 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

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 North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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