Norway: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Norway?

Life expectancy at birth was 81.61 years for men and 84.85 years for women in 2025, according to Statistics Norway. Both were slightly higher than in 2024, when the figures were 81.59 and 84.80 years.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if the death rates of that year stayed the same throughout life. It is calculated from SSB's death statistics. In 2015 male life expectancy was 80.36 years, so the gap between men and women has narrowed over the past decade.

Official sources: SSB: Deaths

What is the birth rate in Norway?

The total fertility rate in Norway was 1.48 children per woman in 2025, up from 1.44 in 2024, according to Statistics Norway. There were 55,401 live births in 2025, compared with 54,013 in 2024 and 59,058 in 2015.

The total fertility rate estimates the average number of children a woman would have if the year's birth rates applied throughout her life; about 2.1 is needed to replace the population without migration. In 2015 the rate was 1.73. Mothers' average age at first birth was 30.4 years in 2024.

Official sources: SSB: Births

How many people die in Norway each year?

45,040 people died in Norway in 2025, compared with 44,242 in 2024, according to Statistics Norway. In August 2026 there were 3,593 deaths. With 55,401 births, Norway had 10,361 more births than deaths in 2025, according to SSB's population statistics.

The number of deaths has been rising slowly as the population grows and ages, while death rates at each age have fallen. SSB publishes monthly death figures from the population register; causes of death are recorded in the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's Cause of Death Registry. The next update of SSB's death statistics is due on 20 October 2026.

Official sources: SSB: Deaths · SSB: Population

How long do people live in Norway?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Norway was 83.2 years, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 83.2 years; its low point was 2005, at 80.0 years. Europe & Central Asia median: 79.5 years; Norway is 10th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 15th highest.

How many babies die in Norway?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Norway was 2.0 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 3.3 per 1,000; its low point was 2021, at 1.9 per 1,000. It is 43rd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.4 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 183rd of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Norway?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Norway was 1.0 per 100,000, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 6.0 per 100,000; Norway is 50th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 191st of 192.

What share of GDP does Norway spend on health care?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 9.4% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 11.4% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 7.9% of GDP. It is 13th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 7.5% of GDP. Worldwide: 35th of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Norway?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 13.7%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.0%; Norway is 40th highest of 51. Worldwide: 148th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Norway have?

5.0 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Norway for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.0 per 1,000; Norway is 4th highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 5th of 58.

What is hospital capacity in Norway?

In 2023, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Norway was 3.3 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.2 per 1,000; Norway is 19th highest of 23. World rank, highest first: 30th of 73.

How many children in Norway are vaccinated against measles?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Norway at 96.0% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 97.0%; its low point was 2005, at 90.0%. Europe & Central Asia median: 94.0%; Norway is 14th highest of 51. Worldwide: 46th of 191.