The Human Truth Foundation

Norway

http://www.humantruth.info/norway.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#humanism #ireland #norway #scandinavia

Norway
Kingdom of Norway
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index2nd best
CapitalOslo
Land Area 304 250km21
LocationEurope, Scandinavia
Population5.3m2
Life Expectancy83.23yrs (2017)3
GNI$64 660 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesNO, NOR, 5785
Internet Domain.no6
CurrencyKrone (NOK)7
Telephone+478

1. Overview

#christianity #denmark #germany #sweden

Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Key domestic issues include immigration and integration of ethnic minorities, maintaining the country's extensive social safety net with an aging population, and preserving economic competitiveness.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverNorway is a once-in-a-lifetime destination and the essence of its appeal is remarkably simple: this is one of the most beautiful countries on earth. The drama of Norway´s natural world is difficult to overstate. Impossibly steep-sided fjords of extraordinary beauty cut gashes from a jagged coastline deep into the interior. The fjords´ fame is wholly merited, but this is also a land of glaciers, grand and glorious, snaking down from icefields that rank among Europe´s largest. Elsewhere, the mountainous terrain of Norway´s interior resembles the ramparts of so many natural fortresses, and yields to rocky coastal islands that rise improbably from the waters like apparitions. And then, of course, there´s the primeval appeal of the Arctic…

The counterpoint to so much natural beauty is found in the country´s vibrant cultural life, which celebrates local traditions and draws in the best from around the world. Norwegian cities are cosmopolitan and brimfull of architecture that showcases the famous Scandinavian flair for design through the ages. At the same time, a busy calendar of festivals, many of international renown, are worth planning your trip around.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Norway National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
6Denmark0.948
7Sweden0.947
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
4Luxembourg$84 649
5Ireland$76 169
6Switzerland$66 933
7USA$64 765
8Norway$64 660
9Brunei$64 490
10Hong Kong$62 607
11UAE$62 574
12Denmark$60 365
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12,13
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12,13
1Taiwan28.6
2Norway29.4
3Denmark31.2
4Sweden32.2
5Finland32.6
6Netherlands33.8
7Germany35.4
8Austria36.3
9New Zealand36.4
10Canada37.3
11Switzerland37.7
12Iceland39.1
Europe Avg57.3
World Avg86.1
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Norway's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Norway's population is predicted to rise to 5.574 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.95. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population (2018)2
Pos.
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
4Indonesia267.7m
5Pakistan212.2m
...
114Denmark5.8m
115Finland5.5m
116Slovakia5.5m
117Norway5.3m
118Congo, (Brazzaville)5.2m
119Costa Rica5.0m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate (2013)14
Pos.2.0 is best14
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
6Australia1.96
7Uruguay2.05
8Norway1.95
9Myanmar (Burma)1.95
10Indonesia2.07
11Sweden1.93
12Tunisia1.93
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016)15
Pos.Lower is better
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3Chad04.7
4Burkina Faso04.7
5Sierra Leone04.8
...
145Australia31.3
146Slovakia31.6
147Albania31.8
148Norway32.2
149Iceland32.5
150Serbia32.7
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants (2017)16
Pos.
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
4Liechtenstein65.1%
5Monaco54.9%
...
32Bahamas15.6%
33Maldives15.4%
34USA15.3%
35Norway15.1%
36Germany14.8%
37Estonia14.7%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants (2010)17
Pos.
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
4Grenada65.5%
5St Kitts & Nevis61.1%
...
124Syria4.2%
125Burundi4.2%
126Panama4.0%
127Norway3.8%
128Bahrain3.7%
129Gambia3.7%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #norway #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)18,19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18,19
1Sweden9.2
2Norway14.7
3Denmark14.7
4Netherlands15.8
5New Zealand17.5
6Iceland20.1
7Canada21.2
8Austria22.5
9Luxembourg23.9
10Finland23.9
11Australia24.1
12Hong Kong24.3
Europe Avg50.3
World Avg87.7
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Norway leads the world, setting excellent examples. Norway comes in the best 20 in supporting press freedom20 (amongst the lowest in Europe), the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)21 (amongst the lowest in Europe), opposing gender inequality22, freethought23, LGBT equality24, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms25, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice26 and in speed of uptake of HR treaties27. And finally, it does better than average in its nominal commitment to Human Rights28 and in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports29 (but low for Europe). Since 2009, gay couples in Norway have been able to marry and adopt children despite resistance from members of the Christian Democratic Party and the Lutheran-affiliated Church30. Human Rights Watch's 2018 report states that Norway's support of women's rights at home and internationally has been notable31.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Norway's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #Norway #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)32,33
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank32,33
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3Finland65.3
4Switzerland65.6
5Italy67.5
6Spain69.6
7Portugal72.3
8Luxembourg72.9
9Denmark74.3
10Germany74.4
11Austria74.5
12Sweden75.6
13Iceland76.9
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)32,33
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank32,33
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
4Singapore42.6
5Japan51.0
6S. Korea51.3
7Sri Lanka52.9
8Bhutan55.1
9China60.4
10Norway61.0
11Brunei62.6
12Malaysia62.8
13Oman62.9
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives32. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau32.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean32, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa32.

For more, see:

Health:

Norway does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Norway comes in the best 20 in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance34, its average life expectancy11 and in its adolescent birth rate22. It does better than average for its fertility rate14 (but high for Europe), its immunizations take-up35 and in its smoking rate36 (one of the best in Europe). But, there's bad news too. Norway does worse than average in its suicide rate37 and in its alcohol consumption rate38 (still good for Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years.

Life Expectancy (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption (2016)38
Pos.Lower is better
Per Capita38
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
4Mauritania0.0
5Somalia0.0
...
110Albania7.5
111Burundi7.5
112Italy7.5
113Norway7.5
114Kazakhstan7.7
115Congo, (Brazzaville)7.8
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate (2013)14
Pos.2.0 is best14
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
6Australia1.96
7Uruguay2.05
8Norway1.95
9Myanmar (Burma)1.95
10Indonesia2.07
11Sweden1.93
12Tunisia1.93
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates (2014)36
Pos.Higher is worse36
182Montenegro4 125
181Belarus3 831
180Lebanon3 023
179Macedonia2 732
178Russia2 690
...
92Uzbekistan 573
91Venezuela 565
90Gabon 559
89Norway 556
88Iceland 551
87S. Africa 537
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate (2013)37
Pos.
Per 100k37
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
4Jordan0.2
5Maldives0.7
...
56Iceland23.5
57New Zealand23.6
58Ireland23.7
59Norway23.8
60Denmark23.9
61Germany23.9
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance (2017)34
Pos.Lower is better
Rank34
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
4UK4
5Norway5
6Switzerland6
7Germany7
8Canada8
9Netherlands9
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults (2016)39
Pos.Lower is better
%39
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
4Ethiopia20.9
5Nepal21.0
...
120Finland57.9
121Macedonia58.1
122Nicaragua58.2
123Norway58.3
124Poland58.3
125Ukraine58.4
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate (2015)22
Pos.Lower is better
Per 100022
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
4Hong Kong3.2
5Slovenia3.8
...
9Japan4.1
10Cyprus5.0
11Sweden5.7
12Norway5.9
13Luxembourg5.9
14Italy6.0
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015)35
Pos.Higher is better
Avg %35
1Hungary99.0
2China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
4Niue98.8
5Mongolia98.7
...
74Singapore94.6
75UK94.6
76Solomon Islands94.5
77Norway94.3
78Bolivia94.2
79UAE94.0
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Norway's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank19
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
4Denmark16.0
5Belgium16.1
6Czechia16.7
7Sweden18.6
8Germany18.6
9Iceland19.6
10Austria19.6
11Norway21.0
12Slovenia21.3
13UK21.5
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity and Learning (2020)19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank19
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
4Estonia15.8
5Denmark16.0
...
11Australia19.2
12Iceland19.6
13Austria19.6
14Norway21.0
15Slovenia21.3
16UK21.5
17Canada21.6
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research and Development (2016)
Pos.Higher is better
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2940
2Israel4.1140
3Japan3.5840
4Finland3.1740
5Sweden3.1640
...
17Czechia2.0040
18Netherlands1.9740
19Iceland1.8940
20Norway1.7040
21UK1.7040
22Canada1.6140
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education (2018)41
Pos.Higher is better41
1Luxembourg100.0%
2Estonia100.0%
3Austria100.0%
4Canada100.0%
5Finland100.0%
...
23Croatia95.7%
24Azerbaijan95.6%
25USA95.6%
26Norway95.4%
27S. Korea95.2%
28Bulgaria95.1%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling (2021)42
Pos.Higher is better
Years42
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
...
10Netherlands18.7
11Grenada18.7
12Turkey18.3
13Norway18.2
14Spain17.9
15Argentina17.9
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours (2017)34
Pos.Lower is better
Rank34
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
4Denmark4
5UK5
...
46Belarus46
47Moldova47
48Montenegro48
49Norway49
50Fiji50
51Dominica51
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading (2015)43
Pos.Higher is better
Score43
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
4Macau1582
5Estonia1573
...
14Netherlands1524
15Switzerland1519
16New Zealand1517
17Norway1513
18Denmark1513
19Poland1511
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity (2018)44
Pos.Lower is better
%44
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4Switzerland9
5Denmark9
...
20Australia18
21Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23Norway19
24Netherlands20
25Italy21
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ (2006)45
Pos.Higher is better45
1Hong Kong108
2Singapore108
3S. Korea106
4Japan105
5Taiwan105
...
9Switzerland101
10Mongolia101
11Netherlands100
12Norway100
13Austria100
14UK100
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users (2016)46
Pos.Higher is better46
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
4Bermuda97%
5Andorra97%
6Denmark96%
7Liechtenstein96%
8Luxembourg95%
9Netherlands94%
10Sweden93%
11Monaco93%
12UK93%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake (2017)47
Pos.Higher is better
Ratio47
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
4USA35.0
5Greece33.5
...
15Ecuador18.2
16Estonia17.6
17Malaysia16.5
18Norway14.7
19Australia14.6
20Trinidad & Tobago14.5
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

7. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Norway has one of the best records on keeping corruption low.

World Giving Index (2013-2021)48
Pos.Lower is better48
1Myanmar (Burma)2.7
2New Zealand4.0
3USA4.7
4Australia4.9
5Indonesia9.0
...
13Netherlands14.3
14Trinidad & Tobago16.5
15Bhutan17.5
16Norway20.0
17Sri Lanka20.3
18Iceland21.0
Europe Avg75.2
World Avg67.9
q=160.
Corruption (2022)49
Pos.Higher is better
Points49
1Denmark90.0
2Finland87.0
3New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5Singapore83.0
6Sweden83.0
7Switzerland82.0
8Netherlands80.0
9Germany79.0
10Ireland77.0
11Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness (2018)50
Pos.Higher is better50
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
4Iceland7.5
5Switzerland7.5
6Netherlands7.4
7Canada7.3
8New Zealand7.3
9Sweden7.3
10Australia7.3
11Israel7.2
12Austria7.1
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity and Culture (2017)34
Pos.Lower is better
Rank34
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
4Switzerland4
5Sweden5
...
19Hungary19
20Slovakia20
21Poland21
22Norway22
23Lithuania23
24St Lucia24
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid and Development (2017)34
Pos.Lower is better
Rank34
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

8. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index (2021)51
Pos.Lower is better51
1Iceland1.10
2New Zealand1.25
3Denmark1.26
4Portugal1.27
5Slovenia1.32
...
11Singapore1.35
12Japan1.37
13Finland1.40
14Norway1.44
15Sweden1.46
16Australia1.47
Europe Avg1.69
World Avg2.08
q=163.
Peacekeeping and Security (2017)34
Pos.Lower is better
Rank34
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
4Egypt4
5Nigeria5
...
48UK48
49Timor-Leste (E. Timor)49
50Ireland50
51Norway51
52Finland52
53France53
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees and UN Treaties (2017)34
Pos.Lower is better
Rank34
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism (2019)52
Pos.Lower is better
Score52
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
4Equatorial Guinea0.00
5Cambodia0.00
...
20Guyana0.04
21UAE0.05
22Slovakia0.06
23Norway0.08
24Lesotho0.10
25Liberia0.11
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

9. The Natural Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 1990-2015 (2015)53
Pos.Higher is better
%53
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
4Kuwait+81.2
5Dominican Rep.+79.5
...
97Bahamas00.0
98Barbados00.0
99St Kitts & Nevis00.0
100Norway-00.2
101Papua New Guinea-00.2
102Canada-00.3
Europe Avg+15.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance (2018)54
Pos.Higher is better54
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
4Malta80.9
5Sweden80.5
...
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
13Germany78.4
14Norway77.5
15Belgium77.4
16Italy77.0
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency (2014)55
Pos.Higher is better55
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
4Colombia17.54
5Ireland17.54
...
42Paraguay10.53
43Chile10.42
44Lithuania10.42
45Norway10.42
46Japan10.20
47Brazil10.10
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Pos.Earlier is better
Signed
1China1993 Dec 29
2Guinea1993 Dec 29
3Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
4Vanuatu1993 Dec 29
5Papua New Guinea1993 Dec 29
...
24Bahamas1993 Dec 29
25St Lucia1993 Dec 29
26Tunisia1993 Dec 29
27Norway1993 Dec 29
28Zambia1993 Dec 29
29Australia1993 Dec 29
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment (2011)56
Pos.Higher is better
%56
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
4Trinidad & Tobago74.5%
5Costa Rica74.2%
...
125UK22.6%
126Malawi22.0%
127UAE20.8%
128Norway20.5%
129Botswana20.4%
130USA19.7%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy (2019)57
Pos.Higher is worse57
184Chad40.90
183Central African Rep.40.10
182Sierra Leone39.00
181Somalia38.90
180Nigeria37.10
...
12Netherlands3.10
11Spain3.00
10S. Korea3.00
9Norway3.00
8Czechia3.00
7Finland3.00
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) (2017)58
Pos.Lower is better
%58
1Ukraine25.0
2Belarus25.4
3Slovenia25.4
4Czechia25.9
5Moldova25.9
6Slovakia26.5
7Finland27.1
8Kyrgyzstan27.3
9Kazakhstan27.5
10Norway27.5
11Algeria27.6
12Belgium27.7
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)44
Pos.Lower is better
%44
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4Switzerland9
5Denmark9
...
20Australia18
21Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23Norway19
24Netherlands20
25Italy21
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)59
Pos.Higher is better
%59
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
4Czechia61
5Estonia49
...
13Slovenia35
14Bulgaria34
15Hungary32
16Norway31
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below60:

Christian84.7%
Muslim3.7%
Hindu0.5%
Buddhist0.6%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jew0.1%
Unaffiliated10.1%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 88.5% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (31%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 89.7% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 19% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)61.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)62, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Norway states:

The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion or belief. However, the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC), the state church, enjoys some benefits not available to other religious and humanist groups, even though 2012 saw a move towards greater separation between state and church. The state supports the church financially. Other religion or belief communities may register with the government to receive state financial support, which is provided to all registered life-stance groups in proportion to their formally registered membership. The largest such group after the state church is the Norwegian Humanist Association, a non-religious life-stance organization with around 80,000 members.

The Christian Knowledge and Religious and Ethical Information (CKREE) course for grades 1 through 10 (generally ages 6 to 16) reviews world religions and philosophy while promoting tolerance and respect for all religious beliefs. Citing the country's Christian history (and the stated importance of Christianity to society), the CKREE course devotes an extensive amount of time to studying Christianity, but the course includes discussion of other religions. This course is mandatory; there are no exceptions for children of other religious groups, or Humanists or other non-religious students. Students may be exempted from participating in or performing specific religious acts, such as church services or prayer.

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)63

In government, Norweigan law requires "that a certain number of Cabinet members must be Lutherans [but] people have performed these roles and conformed when it has been known that they were not in fact believers"64 (the same happens in Ireland. It's clearly time to remove all religion-specific legislation, and move Norway fully forward into the modern era, where all citizens are treated the same, regardless of their beliefs.64)

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