Norway Population
Norway population, 1990–2100
Medium projection with low/high uncertainty band
Explore Norway by year
Drag to read any year's indicators, 1950–2100
Current year
Norway in context
Norway has moderate fertility by European standards, though it has fallen in recent years, and uses its oil wealth to fund family-friendly policies. Immigration contributes significantly to growth, keeping the population expanding. Ageing is advancing but from a more comfortable starting point than much of Europe.
The Norway demographic outlook
Norway is home to about 5.6 million people in 2026, the 118th largest population of any country. Set in Northern Europe, its demographic path this century turns on the balance of births, deaths and migration. It packs in roughly 19 people per square kilometre.
The defining marker in Norway's future is its peak, expected around 2051 at about 5.9 million. After that the population eases back toward 5.4 million by 2100, having passed through 5.9 million at mid-century.
With fertility near 1.41, just under the 2.1 replacement mark, natural increase is fading. Immigration is a meaningful contributor, bringing in more people than leave in a typical year.
The median age is set to climb from about 40 today to roughly 49 by 2100, while life expectancy, near 83 years, keeps rising. A rising median age means fewer working-age people supporting each retiree over time.
The trajectory above is the UN's medium scenario. Wars, policy shifts, economic change and migration can all move the numbers, but the broad shape, growth followed by an eventual peak, is robust across the main variants.
Migration & natural change
Net migration against natural change (births − deaths), 2026
Norway is a net destination for migration: roughly 12,047 more people arrive than leave each year. Births still outnumber deaths, adding about 8,725 people a year on their own.
Who supports whom
Dependants (under 15 and 65+) per 100 working-age adults (15–64)
| Year | Youth | Old-age | Total | 65+ share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | 29 | 54 | 19% |
| 2050 | 23 | 45 | 69 | 27% |
| 2100 | 24 | 61 | 85 | 33% |
A total ratio of 100 means as many dependants as working-age adults. Rising old-age figures signal an ageing population and growing pressure on pensions and healthcare.
Key milestones
Age structure
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Demographic indicators
| Population 2024 | 5.5 million |
| Population 2050 | 5.9 million |
| Population 2075 | 5.7 million |
| Population 2100 | 5.4 million |
| Median age 2050 | 45.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2050 | 1.50 |
| Life expectancy 2100 | 92.1 years |