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How high is the standard of living in Norway?

HDI rank, life expectancy, pay and prices.

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Short answer

Norway has one of the highest standards of living in the world and ranks second of 192 countries on the UN Human Development Index. Life expectancy in 2025 was 81.61 years for men and 84.85 for women, and median monthly pay was NOK 55,800.

How much does it cost to live in Norway? a wallet with a few Norwegian krone coins, a receipt and a small price tag in front of a mountain silhouette

Why

  1. FN-sambandet, the UN Association of Norway, lists Norway as number 2 of 192 countries on the Human Development Index, which runs from 0 to 1.
  2. Statistics Norway puts life expectancy at birth in 2025 at 81.61 years for men and 84.85 years for women.
  3. Median monthly earnings per full-time equivalent were NOK 55,800 in 2025 and the average was NOK 62,070, according to Statistics Norway.

Details

High incomes come with high prices: Statistics Norway found household prices 28.6 per cent above the EU average in 2025. Energy is the exception, as the only one of 35 published price groups where Norway is below the EU average.

Tip

Look at local rent as well as national averages: in 2025 a two-room flat cost NOK 15,260 a month on average in Oslo and Bærum, against NOK 11,790 across Norway.

What may differ

Rankings and pay figures are national averages. Your own standard of living depends on income, housing costs and where in Norway you live.

Common misconception

Norway always tops the UN Human Development Index.

What actually happens

In the ranking listed by FN-sambandet, Norway is number 2 of 192 countries: near the top, but not first.

People also ask

  • What is the quality of life like in Norway?
  • Where does Norway rank for quality of life?

Sources

Information checked on 15 October 2026.

How much does it cost to live in Norway?

  • How much does a theatre ticket cost in Oslo?

    A ticket at the Norwegian Opera or Oslo Nye Teater costs between NOK 195 and NOK 995 in autumn 2026, depending on the production, seat and discount.

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  • What can you do for free in Tromsø?

    Free things to do in Tromsø include climbing the Sherpa steps, walking around Prestvannet and visiting Telegrafbukta beach, where the northern lights can be seen on clear winter days.

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  • Why is food so expensive in Norway?

    Food in Norway costs 33 per cent more than the EU average, partly because import tariffs protect Norwegian farming and three grocery groups dominate the market.

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  • Is skiing in Norway expensive?

    Downhill skiing in Norway costs several hundred kroner a day: an adult day pass is NOK 540 at Skimore Oslo and from NOK 529 at Hafjell.

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