Sweden vs Norway: Population Comparison 2025
Scandinavian welfare states with different immigration approaches and fertility patterns.
Sweden
Norway
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
Sweden
10.7M
Norway
5.6M
Youth (0-14)
Sweden
16.7%
Norway
15.9%
Elderly (65+)
Sweden
20.9%
Norway
19.1%
Demographic Analysis: Sweden vs Norway
In 2025, Sweden has a population of 11M, while Norway has 6M. This represents a difference of 5M, with Sweden having 1.9 times the population of the other. Sweden ranks #90 globally by population size, while Norway ranks #117.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: Sweden has a median age of 41.3 years, compared to 40.9 years in Norway. This 0.4-year difference indicates that Sweden has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in Sweden is 60.3%, while in Norway it is 53.9%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.
Gender balance differs between the two countries: Sweden has a sex ratio of 101.53 males per female, while Norway has 101.64. Norway shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.
Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025
| Indicator | Sweden | Norway | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 11M | 6M | 1.9x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #90 | #117 | 27 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | +0.58% | +0.89% | 0.31pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 41.3 years | 40.9 years | 0.4 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 16.7% | 15.9% | 0.8pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 62.4% | 65.0% | 2.6pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 20.9% | 19.1% | 1.8pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 17.5% | 18.9% | 1.4pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 38.6% | 40.2% | 1.6pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 60.3% | 53.9% | 6.4pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 26.8% | 24.5% | 2.3pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 33.5% | 29.4% | 4.2pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 101.5 | 101.6 | 0.1 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.45 children/woman | 1.40 children/woman | 0.05 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 10.0 per 1,000 | 9.8 per 1,000 | 0.2 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 125.2% | 119.8% | 5.4pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | constrictive | constrictive | Same type |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between Sweden and Norway for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = Sweden has more males
Green = Norway has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = Sweden has more females
Orange = Norway has more females
💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means Norway has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
5.0M
Sweden larger
Growth Since 1950
Sweden
+51.9%
Norway
+72.2%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.53
Sweden : Norway
| Metric | Sweden | Norway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 10.7M | 5.6M | +89.5% |
| Median Age | 41.3 years | 40.9 years | +0.4 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 1.8M 16.7% | 895.4K 15.9% | +98.8% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 6.6M 62.4% | 3.7M 65.0% | +81.9% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 2.2M 20.9% | 1.1M 19.1% | +107.7% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 60.3 per 100 | 53.9 per 100 | +6.4 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 26.8 per 100 | 24.5 per 100 | +2.3 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 33.5 per 100 | 29.4 per 100 | +4.2 |
| Sex Ratio | 101.5 M/100F | 101.6 M/100F | -0.1 |
| Population Structure Type | Constrictive | Constrictive | Same |
Total Population
Sweden
10.7M
Norway
5.6M
Median Age
Sweden
41.3 years
Norway
40.9 years
Youth Population (0-14)
Sweden
1.8M
16.7%
Norway
895.4K
15.9%
Working Age (15-64)
Sweden
6.6M
62.4%
Norway
3.7M
65.0%
Elderly Population (65+)
Sweden
2.2M
20.9%
Norway
1.1M
19.1%
Total Dependency Ratio
Sweden
60.3 per 100
Norway
53.9 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
Sweden
26.8 per 100
Norway
24.5 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Sweden
33.5 per 100
Norway
29.4 per 100
Sex Ratio
Sweden
101.5 M/100F
Norway
101.6 M/100F
Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.
Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.
Historic Milestone: 2023
Norway became the world's most populous country, ending Sweden's centuries-long reign