Page last updated: 07 Oct 2024
Norway, known for its breathtaking landscapes, fjords, the midnight sun, and northern lights, offers a blend of natural wonders that have long attracted tourists seeking extraordinary experiences.
How many people visited Norway in 2024?
- In the first two quarters of 2024, Norway welcomed 2.2 million international tourists.
- From January to March 2024, Norway received 1.09 million international visitors and from April to June, there were 1.43 million visitors.
How many people visit Norway every year?
In 2023, Norway welcomed a total of 5.65 million international visitors.
- Norway welcomed 6.3 million visitors in 2017, marking a strong year for tourism. Numbers slightly decreased to 5.9 million in 2019.
- The global health crisis saw arrivals plummet to approximately 1.4 million in 2020 and 2021.
- Norway witnessed a significant increase in tourist arrivals in 2022, with 5 million visitors.1
- 2023 marked a 13% increase in international tourism, reaching a total of 5.65 million.
How much do visitors spend in Norway every year?
In 2023, a total of $6.03 billion was spent by tourists while visiting Norway.
- Tourist spending in 2017 reached $5.6 billion and increased to $5.9 billion in 2019.
- However, in 2020 and 2021, spending fell drastically to around $2 billion, mirroring the fall in arrivals.
- Following a rebound in tourist numbers in 2022, expenditure also rose ($5.4 billion), reaching nearly three times the 2021 amount.
- In 2023, tourist expenditure grew to $6 billion, surpassing pre-crisis figures and illustrating both recovery and growth.2
Where do visitors to Norway come from?
- In 2019, before the pandemic, most of Norway’s tourists were from countries like Germany, topping the list with 1.04 million visitors, Sweden (574,000), the United States (555,000), the Netherlands (429,000), and Denmark (319,000).3
- With the travel restrictions of 2020, the visitor statistics shifted dramatically. German tourists still led, but the numbers dropped to 258,000.
- 2021 showed signs of recovery, although the numbers still trailed behind pre-pandemic levels. Germany continued to send the most tourists (362,000), with slight increases from Sweden, the Netherlands, the US, and Denmark.
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How many people visited Norway in 2023?
- A total of 11.46 million tourists (both domestic and international) visited Norway in 2023. Domestic trips accounted for 5.81 million whereas international trips accounted for 5.65 million.
How much did visitors spend in Norway in 2023?
- In 2023, visitors spent around $6.03 billion in Norway. This exceeded the pre-pandemic expenditure by 11%.
How many people visited Norway in 2022?
- In 2022, Norway’s tourism began to recover, with arrivals soaring to 4.98 million.
- This represented a 247% increase from 2021 and made up 85% of the total number of international visitors in 2019.
How much did visitors spend in Norway in 2022?
- In 2022 international visitors spent a total of $5.4 billion.
- This expenditure was nearly threefold the amount in 2021 and represented 92% of the 2019 level, underscoring a vigorous rebound in Norway’s tourism sector.
Impact of Coronavirus – Norway Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- In 2020, the pandemic caused Norway’s tourism to drop, with visitor numbers decreasing to 1.4 million and spending to $1.8 billion. This showed a 76% decline in visitors from the previous year, and spending made up just 31% of the total 2019 spending.
- The number of visitors and spending slightly increased to 1.44 million and $1.9 billion in 2021.
Domestic and International Statistics of Norway
In 2023, 11.46 million domestic and international tourists visited Norway. There were
5.61 million international tourists and 5.81 million domestic visitors.
- Before the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism in Norway was steady, with international arrivals between 5 million and 6 million, and domestic tourism ranging from 3 million to 5 million visitors annually.
- The pandemic caused a decline in international visitors, dropping by 76% from 5.88 million in 2019 to 1.4 million in 2020. In contrast, domestic tourism continued to rise.
- By 2022, international arrivals increased to 4.98 million, reaching 5.65 million in 2023, though still below the 6.25 million visitors in 2017. Domestic tourism, after peaking at 7.61 million in 2021, fell to 5.97 million in 2022 and 5.81 million in 2023, closer to pre-pandemic levels.
Top Attractions in Norway
- Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo: Features over 650 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in various themes, crafted in iron, bronze, and granite.
- Trolltunga: A striking rock formation situated 1,100 metres above sea level, known for its breathtaking views and reached by a challenging hike.
- Northern Lights in Tromsø: Offers some of the best opportunities to see the aurora borealis from late September to early March.
- Stavanger Cathedral: Norway’s oldest cathedral, dating back to the 12th century, it showcases historic architecture.
- Bergen and the Western Fjords: Known for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, trendy scene, and access to majestic fjords.