Urban area over the long-term in Norway
Norway: Urban area over the long-term was 1,987 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1,987 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.4%
World rank
65th
of 202 countries
All-time high
1,987 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.2665 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Norway, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
Norway recorded 1,987 km² per grid cell for urban area over the long-term in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 15.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Norway peaked at 1,987 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.2665 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Norway ranks 65th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Norway, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.2665 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.5396 km² per grid cell | +102.5% |
| 1200 | 1.02 km² per grid cell | +88.9% |
| 1300 | 1.8 km² per grid cell | +76.5% |
| 1400 | 1.35 km² per grid cell | -25.0% |
| 1500 | 4.05 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1600 | 7.84 km² per grid cell | +93.6% |
| 1700 | 22.2 km² per grid cell | +183.4% |
| 1710 | 31.8 km² per grid cell | +43.2% |
| 1720 | 40.59 km² per grid cell | +27.6% |
| 1730 | 48.4 km² per grid cell | +19.2% |
| 1740 | 55.15 km² per grid cell | +14.0% |
| 1750 | 60.91 km² per grid cell | +10.4% |
| 1760 | 65.8 km² per grid cell | +8.0% |
| 1770 | 70.04 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1780 | 73.86 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1790 | 77.52 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1800 | 81.27 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1810 | 85.37 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1820 | 95.15 km² per grid cell | +11.5% |
| 1830 | 110.75 km² per grid cell | +16.4% |
| 1840 | 128.73 km² per grid cell | +16.2% |
| 1850 | 152.47 km² per grid cell | +18.4% |
| 1860 | 181.54 km² per grid cell | +19.1% |
| 1870 | 210.82 km² per grid cell | +16.1% |
| 1880 | 237.56 km² per grid cell | +12.7% |
| 1890 | 268.2 km² per grid cell | +12.9% |
| 1900 | 317.07 km² per grid cell | +18.2% |
| 1910 | 357.56 km² per grid cell | +12.8% |
| 1920 | 418.43 km² per grid cell | +17.0% |
| 1930 | 469.44 km² per grid cell | +12.2% |
| 1940 | 530.4 km² per grid cell | +13.0% |
| 1950 | 607.54 km² per grid cell | +14.5% |
| 1951 | 615.11 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1952 | 621.57 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1953 | 627.89 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1954 | 634.12 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1955 | 640.35 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1956 | 646.59 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1957 | 652.84 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1958 | 659.05 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1959 | 665.17 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1960 | 671.14 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1961 | 692.4 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1962 | 721.74 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1963 | 751.4 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1964 | 781.54 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1965 | 812.1 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1966 | 843.2 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1967 | 874.69 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1968 | 906.46 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1969 | 938.19 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1970 | 969.79 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1971 | 991.39 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1972 | 1,008 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1973 | 1,024 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1974 | 1,040 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 1,055 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1976 | 1,070 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1977 | 1,083 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1978 | 1,097 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1979 | 1,110 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 1,123 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1981 | 1,133 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1982 | 1,141 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1983 | 1,149 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1984 | 1,157 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1985 | 1,165 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1986 | 1,174 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1987 | 1,183 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1988 | 1,192 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1989 | 1,201 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1990 | 1,212 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1991 | 1,226 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1992 | 1,242 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1993 | 1,258 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1994 | 1,274 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1995 | 1,289 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1996 | 1,304 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1997 | 1,318 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 1,329 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1999 | 1,352 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 1,381 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 2001 | 1,398 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2002 | 1,415 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 1,432 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 1,450 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 1,467 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 1,493 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2007 | 1,519 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 1,543 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2009 | 1,567 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 1,591 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2011 | 1,616 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 1,641 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2013 | 1,667 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 1,693 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 1,719 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 1,746 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2017 | 1,772 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 1,799 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 1,826 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 1,853 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 1,880 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 1,906 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 1,933 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 1,960 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2025 | 1,987 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
Norway compared with similar countries
- Norway's 1,987 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 2.0× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Norway's 1,987 km² per grid cell is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 1.4× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Norway changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 | +200.0% | 1.35 km² per grid cell | 4.05 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +183.4% | 7.84 km² per grid cell | 22.2 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +102.5% | 0.2665 km² per grid cell | 0.5396 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +93.6% | 4.05 km² per grid cell | 7.84 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +88.9% | 0.5396 km² per grid cell | 1.02 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +76.5% | 1.02 km² per grid cell | 1.8 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.2665 km² per grid cell | 0.2665 km² per grid cell | 0.2665 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.5396 km² per grid cell | 0.5396 km² per grid cell | 0.5396 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 1.02 km² per grid cell | 1.02 km² per grid cell | 1.02 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 1.8 km² per grid cell | 1.8 km² per grid cell | 1.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 1.35 km² per grid cell | 1.35 km² per grid cell | 1.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 4.05 km² per grid cell | 4.05 km² per grid cell | 4.05 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 7.84 km² per grid cell | 7.84 km² per grid cell | 7.84 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 22.2 km² per grid cell | 22.2 km² per grid cell | 22.2 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 31.8 km² per grid cell | 31.8 km² per grid cell | 31.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 40.59 km² per grid cell | 40.59 km² per grid cell | 40.59 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 48.4 km² per grid cell | 48.4 km² per grid cell | 48.4 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 55.15 km² per grid cell | 55.15 km² per grid cell | 55.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 60.91 km² per grid cell | 60.91 km² per grid cell | 60.91 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 65.8 km² per grid cell | 65.8 km² per grid cell | 65.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 70.04 km² per grid cell | 70.04 km² per grid cell | 70.04 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 73.86 km² per grid cell | 73.86 km² per grid cell | 73.86 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 77.52 km² per grid cell | 77.52 km² per grid cell | 77.52 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 81.27 km² per grid cell | 81.27 km² per grid cell | 81.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 85.37 km² per grid cell | 85.37 km² per grid cell | 85.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 95.15 km² per grid cell | 95.15 km² per grid cell | 95.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 110.75 km² per grid cell | 110.75 km² per grid cell | 110.75 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 128.73 km² per grid cell | 128.73 km² per grid cell | 128.73 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 152.47 km² per grid cell | 152.47 km² per grid cell | 152.47 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 181.54 km² per grid cell | 181.54 km² per grid cell | 181.54 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 210.82 km² per grid cell | 210.82 km² per grid cell | 210.82 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 237.56 km² per grid cell | 237.56 km² per grid cell | 237.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 268.2 km² per grid cell | 268.2 km² per grid cell | 268.2 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 317.07 km² per grid cell | 317.07 km² per grid cell | 317.07 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 357.56 km² per grid cell | 357.56 km² per grid cell | 357.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 418.43 km² per grid cell | 418.43 km² per grid cell | 418.43 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 469.44 km² per grid cell | 469.44 km² per grid cell | 469.44 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 530.4 km² per grid cell | 530.4 km² per grid cell | 530.4 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 637.02 km² per grid cell | 607.54 km² per grid cell | 665.17 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 799.29 km² per grid cell | 671.14 km² per grid cell | 938.19 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 1,045 km² per grid cell | 969.79 km² per grid cell | 1,110 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,162 km² per grid cell | 1,123 km² per grid cell | 1,201 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,281 km² per grid cell | 1,212 km² per grid cell | 1,352 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,466 km² per grid cell | 1,381 km² per grid cell | 1,567 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,707 km² per grid cell | 1,591 km² per grid cell | 1,826 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,920 km² per grid cell | 1,853 km² per grid cell | 1,987 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Norway
More reference data data for Norway
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.3703 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.3621 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0618 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.24 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.7734 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 6.9 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3366 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Norway?
- Urban area over the long-term in Norway was 1,987 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Norway?
- The highest recorded value was 1,987 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Norway?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2665 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Norway rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Norway ranks 65th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Norway?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Norway data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.