Norway

Norway Kingdom of Norway
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	2nd best
Capital	Oslo
Land Area	304 250km21
Location	Europe, Scandinavia
Population	5.3m2
Life Expectancy	83.23yrs (2017)3
GNI	$64 660 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	NO, NOR, 5785
Internet Domain	.no6
Currency	Krone (NOK)7
Telephone	+478

1. Overview
2. Norway National and Social Development
3. Norway's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Norway's Health
6. Norway's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Norway's Modernity and Learning
8. Norway's Culture, Peace and Inequality
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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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

“Norway 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
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
4	Hong Kong	0.952
5	Australia	0.951
6	Denmark	0.948
7	Sweden	0.947
8	Ireland	0.945
9	Germany	0.942
10	Netherlands	0.941
11	Finland	0.940
12	Singapore	0.939
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
4	Luxembourg	$84 649
5	Ireland	$76 169
6	Switzerland	$66 933
7	USA	$64 765
8	Norway	$64 660
9	Brunei	$64 490
10	Hong Kong	$62 607
11	UAE	$62 574
12	Denmark	$60 365
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	29.1
2	Norway	32.3
3	Sweden	34.1
4	Switzerland	34.4
5	Netherlands	35.2
6	Finland	37.1
7	Austria	38.4
8	Japan	41.8
9	Germany	41.9
10	Ireland	42.1
11	New Zealand	42.1
12	Belgium	42.5
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	88.9
q=199.

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 #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

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 1.41. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - 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 (two new children for each set of parents who die), 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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
114	Denmark	5.8m
115	Finland	5.5m
116	Slovakia	5.5m
117	Norway	5.3m
118	Congo, (Brazzaville)	5.2m
119	Costa Rica	5.0m
120	Palestine	4.9m
121	Oman	4.8m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
6	Malta	83.8
7	S. Korea	83.7
8	Liechtenstein	83.3
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
102	Bolivia	2.58
103	Russia	1.42
104=	Austria	1.41
104=	Norway	1.41
104=	Estonia	1.41
107	Bhutan	1.40
108	Switzerland	1.39
109	St Lucia	1.39
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
145	Australia	31.3
146	Slovakia	31.6
147	Albania	31.8
148	Norway	32.2
149	Iceland	32.5
150	Serbia	32.7
151	Hungary	32.9
152	Romania	33.6
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
32	Bahamas	15.6%
33	Maldives	15.4%
34	USA	15.3%
35	Norway	15.1%
36	Germany	14.8%
37	Estonia	14.7%
38	Gabon	13.8%
39	St Kitts & Nevis	13.7%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
124	Syria	4.2%
125	Burundi	4.2%
126	Panama	4.0%
127	Norway	3.8%
128	Bahrain	3.7%
129	Gambia	3.7%
130	Chile	3.7%
131	Peru	3.7%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

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

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
4	Netherlands	9.8
5	Iceland	12.9
6	New Zealand	13.3
7	Canada	14.7
8	Austria	14.9
9	Australia	16.0
10	Luxembourg	16.2
	Europe Avg	47.37
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Norway leads the world, setting excellent examples. Norway performs the best in supporting press freedom₁₉ and in its average Freedom in the World rating. It does the second-best in opposing gender inequality₂₀. It comes in the best 20 when it comes to the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₁ (one of the best in Europe), freethought₂₂, LGBT equality₂₃, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₄ and in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₅. And finally, it does better than average in terms of eliminating modern slavery₂₆, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₇ and in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₈ (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 Church₂₉. Human Rights Watch's 2018 report states that Norway's support of women's rights at home and internationally has been notable₃₀.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Norway

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 (2025)31
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank31
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
4	San Marino	37.2
5	Gibraltar	40.6
6	Norway	48.1
7	France	49.5
8	Sweden	50.8
9	Denmark	52.5
10	Switzerland	53.1
11	Netherlands	55.2
12	Iceland	55.9
13	Channel Islands	58.4
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=51.

Health (2025)31
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank31
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
4	San Marino	37.2
5	Gibraltar	40.6
6	Japan	41.2
7	Norway	48.1
8	Hong Kong	48.2
9	France	49.5
10	Curaço	49.7
11	Aruba	49.9
12=	Sri Lanka	49.9
	World Avg	97.60
q=213.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₂. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Cook Islands, The Marshall Islands and Niue₃₂.

25 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on 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, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₂, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₂.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Norway does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Norway comes in the best 20 for its adolescent birth rate₃₃ (amongst the lowest in Europe), its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₄ and in its average life expectancy₁₁. It does better than average in its immunizations take-up₃₅, its smoking rate₃₆ (one of the best in Europe) and in its fertility rate₁₄ (but bad for Europe). But, things could still be better. Norway does worse than average in terms of its suicide rate₃₇, its alcohol consumption rate₃₈ (still good for Europe) and in the prevalence of overweight adults₃₉. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Norway improved by +6.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Norway's peak fertility rate was 2.98 in 1964.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
6	Malta	83.8
7	S. Korea	83.7
8	Liechtenstein	83.3
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better38
Pos.		2016 Per Capita38
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
110=	Albania	7.5
110=	Burundi	7.5
110=	Italy	7.5
110=	Norway	7.5
114	Kazakhstan	7.7
115=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.8
115=	Brazil	7.8
117	Panama	7.9
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
102	Bolivia	2.58
103	Russia	1.42
104=	Austria	1.41
104=	Norway	1.41
104=	Estonia	1.41
107	Bhutan	1.40
108	Switzerland	1.39
109	St Lucia	1.39
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better36
Pos.		201436
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
86	Tajikistan	533
87	S. Africa	537
88	Iceland	551
89	Norway	556
90	Gabon	559
91	Venezuela	565
92	Uzbekistan	573
93	Oman	577
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate37
Pos.		2013 Per 100k37
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
56	Iceland	23.5
57	New Zealand	23.6
58	Ireland	23.7
59	Norway	23.8
60=	Denmark	23.9
60=	Germany	23.9
62	Cuba	24.5
63=	Romania	24.5
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
4	UK	4
5	Norway	5
6	Switzerland	6
7	Germany	7
8	Canada	8
9	Netherlands	9
10	USA	10
11	Luxembourg	11
12	Finland	12
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better39
Pos.		1976 %39
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
130	Finland	35.7
131	Slovenia	36.1
132=	Serbia	36.5
132=	Norway	36.5
132=	Romania	36.5
135	Denmark	36.7
136	Slovakia	37.0
137	Luxembourg	37.9
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better40
Pos.		2022 %40
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
72	Lesotho	19.3%
73	Kazakhstan	19.3%
74	Mauritius	19.5%
75	Norway	19.8%
76	Vanuatu	19.9%
77	Gabon	20.0%
78	Papua New Guinea	20.1%
79	Turkmenistan	20.2%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better33
Pos.		2022 Per 100033
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
4	Norway	2.2
5	Switzerland	2.2
6	N. Korea	2.4
7	Singapore	2.5
8	Netherlands	2.7
9	Japan	2.8
10	UAE	2.8
11	Liechtenstein	3.0
12	Sweden	3.3
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better35
Pos.		2015 Avg %35
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
74	Singapore	94.6
75	UK	94.6
76	Solomon Islands	94.5
77	Norway	94.3
78	Bolivia	94.2
79=	UAE	94.0
79=	Bangladesh	94.0
79=	Tanzania	94.0
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Norway's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #environmentalism #food #iceland #internationalism #meat #norway #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #united_arab_emirates #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2025)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
10	Ireland	63.1
11	Cyprus	64.8
12	Hungary	65.8
13	Norway	66.9
14	Netherlands	71.1
15	Luxembourg	71.4
16	Sweden	71.8
17	Finland	71.9
18	France	72.8
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
48	Guatemala	66.1
49	Lesotho	66.1
50	Mexico	66.3
51	Norway	66.9
52	Guinea	67.1
53	El Salvador	67.4
54	Bangladesh	69.7
55	Brazil	70.2
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"₄₂. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Regarding its responsibility towards the environment, Norway is 51st in the world. This rank is computed using 21 data sets. Norway comes in the best 20 in terms of its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, its score on the Green Future Index₄₃ (amongst the best in Europe) and in its environmental performance₄₄. It does better than average when it comes to its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₅. But, things could still be better. Norway does worse than average in energy to GDP efficiency₄₆ and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₇. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₈.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better45
Pos.		Total45
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
77	Russia	0.7%
78	French Polynesia	0.6%
79	Germany	0.6%
80	Norway	0.6%
81	Cyprus	0.5%
82	New Zealand	0.4%
83	Slovenia	0.4%
84	Wallis & Futuna	0.3%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better44
Pos.		201844
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
11	Iceland	78.6
12	Spain	78.4
13	Germany	78.4
14	Norway	77.5
15	Belgium	77.4
16	Italy	77.0
17	New Zealand	76.0
18	Netherlands	75.5
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better46
Pos.		2022 Avg46
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
96	Luxembourg	1.16
97	Netherlands	1.17
98	Azerbaijan	1.18
99	Norway	1.19
100	Argentina	1.19
101	Cape Verde	1.19
102	Dominica	1.20
103	Greece	1.20
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

In the 1960s, Norway had the 3rd-highest rate of primary energy consumption per GDP per capita; it was grossly inefficient, perhaps as a result of its abundance of oil as a natural resource.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
4	Latvia	81%
5	Estonia	80%
6	Ukraine	80%
7	Finland	79%
8	Georgia	79%
9	Switzerland	78%
10	Nigeria	78%
11	Germany	76%
12	Belarus	76%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Norway was one of 8 countries who ratified the Vienna Convention on the ozone layer in 1986 and was amongst the first batch of countries who signed the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer in 1988 whilst most others delayed both until subsequent years. It was also one of the 19 who signed the Basel Convention on its very first day, and one of the 30 who signed the Convention on Biological Diversity on its first day. To its great credit, Norway was also the only rich country to be amongst the 19 countries that signed the Paris Agreement within the first few months in Q2 2016. Despite its status as an oil-heavy country, Norway embraces the responsibilities that come with extracting and exporting environmentally dangerous goods.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better48
Pos.		2011 %48
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
125	UK	22.6%
126	Malawi	22.0%
127	UAE	20.8%
128	Norway	20.5%
129	Botswana	20.4%
130	USA	19.7%
131	Kuwait	19.6%
132	Zimbabwe	19.6%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better47
Pos.		2021 kg47
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
131	Latvia	74.0
132	Finland	74.0
133	Italy	74.3
134	Norway	74.7
135	Mexico	75.4
136	Cyprus	75.8
137	Austria	76.4
138	Germany	76.6
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

Green Future Index Higher is better43
Pos.		2023 Score43
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
4=	Sweden	6.3
4=	Denmark	6.3
6	Netherlands	6.2
7	UK	6.1
8	S. Korea	6.0
9	France	6.0
10=	Spain	5.9
10=	Germany	5.9
12	Belgium	5.8
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index found the Norway to have put in more effort than anyone (except Iceland and the UAE to transition to cleaner energy sources. It also scored highest on the green transport dataset.₄₉

7. Norway's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)50
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank50
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	Sweden	15.8
6	Germany	16.3
7	Switzerland	17.4
8	Estonia	17.9
9	Norway	18.3
10	UK	19.4
11	Netherlands	19.5
12	Ireland	19.8
13	Austria	19.9
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)50
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank50
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
8	Australia	16.6
9	Switzerland	17.4
10	Estonia	17.9
11	Norway	18.3
12	UK	19.4
13	Netherlands	19.5
14	Ireland	19.8
15	Austria	19.9
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark₅₁. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₅₁. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₂.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₃

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₅₁, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₁.

For more, see:

• "Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Modernity and Education:

In the 1990s, Norway was one of only ten countries to increase its expected duration of education by over 3 years, although it reduced slightly in the 2000s. ₅₄

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2955
2	Israel	4.1155
3	Japan	3.5855
	...
17=	Czechia	2.0055
18	Netherlands	1.9755
19	Iceland	1.8955
20=	Norway	1.7055
20=	UK	1.7055
22	Canada	1.6155
23	Ireland	1.5255
24	Estonia	1.4355
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better56
Pos.		201856
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
23	Croatia	95.7%
24	Azerbaijan	95.6%
25	USA	95.6%
26	Norway	95.4%
27	S. Korea	95.2%
28	Bulgaria	95.1%
29	Lithuania	94.9%
30	Ukraine	94.6%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better57
Pos.		2021 Years57
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
10	Netherlands	18.7
11	Grenada	18.7
12	Turkey	18.3
13	Norway	18.2
14	Spain	17.9
15	Argentina	17.9
16	Slovenia	17.7
17	UK	17.3
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
46	Belarus	46
47	Moldova	47
48	Montenegro	48
49	Norway	49
50	Fiji	50
51	Dominica	51
52	Malaysia	52
53	Russia	53
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better58
Pos.		2015 Score58
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
14=	Netherlands	1524
15	Switzerland	1519
16	New Zealand	1517
17=	Norway	1513
17=	Denmark	1513
19	Poland	1511
20	Belgium	1508
21=	Vietnam	1507
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better59
Pos.		2018 %59
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
20=	Australia	18
20=	Vietnam	18
22	Bulgaria	19
23=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better60
Pos.		200660
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
9=	Switzerland	101
9=	Mongolia	101
11	Netherlands	100
12=	Norway	100
12=	Austria	100
12=	UK	100
15	New Zealand	99
16=	Poland	99
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better61
Pos.		201661
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
4	Bermuda	97%
5	Andorra	97%
6	Denmark	96%
7	Liechtenstein	96%
8	Luxembourg	95%
9	Netherlands	94%
10	Sweden	93%
11	Monaco	93%
12	UK	93%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better62
Pos.		2017 Ratio62
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
15	Ecuador	18.2
16	Estonia	17.6
17	Malaysia	16.5
18	Norway	14.7
19	Australia	14.6
20	Trinidad & Tobago	14.5
21	Finland	14.1
22	Brazil	13.9
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better63
Pos.		202463
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
21=	S. Korea	66.0%
22	Ireland	65.9%
23	Israel	65.4%
24	Norway	64.5%
25	Canada	63.4%
26	Italy	63.3%
27	Czechia	63.2%
28	Latvia	63.2%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Norway's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #economics #equality #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #norway #peace #politics #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism

Compared to Europe (2020)64
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank64
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
4	Finland	16.1
5	Sweden	19.6
6	Austria	20.7
7	Switzerland	21.2
8	Iceland	22.3
9	Ireland	22.8
10	Germany	24.4
11	Luxembourg	25.7
12	Belgium	31.3
13	UK	31.8
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)64
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank64
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
4	New Zealand	15.5
5	Finland	16.1
6	Sweden	19.6
7	Singapore	20.2
8	Austria	20.7
9	Switzerland	21.2
10	Iceland	22.3
11	Ireland	22.8
12	Canada	23.1
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture:

World Giving Index Higher is better65
Pos.		2022 %65
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
33=	Singapore	45.0
33=	Macedonia	45.0
33=	Venezuela	45.0
33=	Norway	45.0
33=	Austria	45.0
38	Sri Lanka	44.0
39=	Ethiopia	44.0
39=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	44.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better66
Pos.		2022 Points66
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
4	Norway	84.0
5=	Singapore	83.0
5=	Sweden	83.0
7	Switzerland	82.0
8	Netherlands	80.0
9	Germany	79.0
10=	Ireland	77.0
10=	Luxembourg	77.0
12	Hong Kong	76.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

In the 1990s, Norway had the 9th-best average result per year on the Corruption Perception Index, and in the 2010s it had the 6th-best.

Happiness Higher is better67
Pos.		2024 Score67
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
4	Sweden	7.3
5	Netherlands	7.3
6	Costa Rica	7.3
7	Norway	7.3
8	Israel	7.2
9	Luxembourg	7.1
10	Mexico	7.0
11	Australia	7.0
12	New Zealand	7.0
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Throughout the 2010s, Norway was the 3^rd happiest country in the world, temporarily gaining the top spot in 2016.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
19	Hungary	19
20	Slovakia	20
21	Poland	21
22	Norway	22
23	Lithuania	23
24	St Lucia	24
25	Canada	25
26	Italy	26
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
4	Netherlands	4
5	Switzerland	5
6	Serbia	6
7	Belgium	7
8	Norway	8
9	Finland	9
10	Croatia	10
11	Georgia	11
12	Philippines	12
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better68
Pos.		2023 Score68
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
21	Qatar	1.52
22	Australia	1.53
23	Mauritius	1.55
24	Norway	1.55
25	Estonia	1.56
26	Slovakia	1.58
27	Latvia	1.58
28	Sweden	1.63
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
48	UK	48
49	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	49
50	Ireland	50
51	Norway	51
52	Finland	52
53	France	53
54	Australia	54
55	Italy	55
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
4	Sweden	4
5	Malta	5
6	Australia	6
7	Norway	7
8	Finland	8
9	Denmark	9
10	Switzerland	10
11	Canada	11
12	UK	12
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better69
Pos.		2019 Score69
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
20=	Guyana	0.04
21	UAE	0.05
22	Slovakia	0.06
23	Norway	0.08
24	Lesotho	0.10
25	Liberia	0.11
26=	Moldova	0.12
26=	Serbia	0.12
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better70
Pos.		201970
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
4	Sweden	2.90
5=	Slovenia	2.90
5=	Japan	2.90
7	Finland	3.00
8=	Czechia	3.00
8=	Norway	3.00
8=	S. Korea	3.00
8=	Spain	3.00
12	Netherlands	3.10
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better71
Pos.		2023 %71
1	Slovakia	24.1%72
2	Slovenia	24.3%72
3	Belarus	24.4%73
	...
14	Tonga	27.1%72
15	Algeria	27.6%74
16=	Finland	27.7%72
16=	Norway	27.7%75
18	Kiribati	27.8%75
19	Armenia	27.9%76
20	Denmark	28.3%72
21=	Poland	28.5%72
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Norway had the 7th-lowest income inequality in the 1980s, improving to 6th-lowest in the 1990s.

9. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)59
Pos.		Lower is better %59
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
20=	Australia	18
20=	Vietnam	18
22	Bulgaria	19
23=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
28=	Kazakhstan	22
28=	Spain	22
30	Slovakia	23
31=	Ukraine	23
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
33=	Uruguay	29
35	Poland	30
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)77
Pos.		Higher is better %77
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
13	Slovenia	35
14	Bulgaria	34
15	Hungary	32
16	Norway	31
17	S. Korea	30
18	Finland	28
19	Russia	27
20	Australia	25
21	Taiwan	24
22=	New Zealand	22
22=	Canada	22
24	Latvia	20
25=	Ukraine	20
25=	Mongolia	20
27	Austria	18
28=	Slovakia	17
	World Avg	9.9
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 below₇₈:

Christian	84.7%
Muslim	3.7%
Hindu	0.5%
Buddhist	0.6%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	10.1%

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:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

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)₇₉.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₈₀, 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)₈₁

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"₈₂ (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.₈₂)

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?