The Human Truth Foundation

Norway

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#norway #scandinavia

Norway
Kingdom of Norway
Flag
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
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Denmark27.0
2Norway29.9
3Sweden31.8
4Switzerland32.6
5Netherlands33.3
6Finland33.4
7Austria36.2
8New Zealand36.6
9Germany37.6
10Ireland37.8
11Australia38.5
12Belgium39.4
Europe Avg55.7
World Avg88.6
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
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
114Denmark5.8m
115Finland5.5m
116Slovakia5.5m
117Norway5.3m
118Congo, (Brazzaville)5.2m
119Costa Rica5.0m
120Palestine4.9m
121Oman4.8m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
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
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
102Bolivia2.58
103Russia1.42
104=Austria1.41
104=Norway1.41
104=Estonia1.41
107Bhutan1.40
108Switzerland1.39
109St Lucia1.39
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
145Australia31.3
146Slovakia31.6
147Albania31.8
148Norway32.2
149Iceland32.5
150Serbia32.7
151Hungary32.9
152Romania33.6
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
32Bahamas15.6%
33Maldives15.4%
34USA15.3%
35Norway15.1%
36Germany14.8%
37Estonia14.7%
38Gabon13.8%
39St Kitts & Nevis13.7%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
124Syria4.2%
125Burundi4.2%
126Panama4.0%
127Norway3.8%
128Bahrain3.7%
129Gambia3.7%
130Chile3.7%
131Peru3.7%
World Avg11.5%
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
1Sweden6.1
2Denmark8.6
3Norway9.0
4Netherlands9.8
5Iceland12.9
6New Zealand13.3
7Canada14.7
8Austria14.9
9Australia16.0
10Luxembourg16.2
Europe Avg47.37
World Avg86.55
q=199.
When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Norway leads the world, setting excellent examples. Norway performs the best for 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 in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)21 (amongst 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 bad 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:

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
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
4San Marino37.2
5Norway39.9
6Gibraltar40.6
7Sweden43.3
8=France44.1
9Iceland45.9
10Finland46.9
11Denmark47.2
12Switzerland48.5
13Netherlands50.2
Europe Avg86.87
q=52.
Health (2025)31
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank31
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
4Greenland34.3
5San Marino37.2
6Norway39.9
7Gibraltar40.6
8Sweden43.3
9=Japan44.1
9=France44.1
11Iceland45.9
12Finland46.9
World Avg96.74
q=212.

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 S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria32.

21 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, 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 Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia32.

For more, see:

Health:

Norway does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Norway comes in the best 20 when it comes to its adolescent birth rate33 (amongst the best 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 (amongst the best in Europe) and in its fertility rate14 (but high for Europe). But, things could still be better. Norway does worse than average when it comes to its suicide rate37 and in its alcohol consumption rate38 (still good for Europe). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 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 better
11
Pos.2021
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
Lower is better
38
Pos.2016
Per Capita38
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
110=Albania7.5
110=Burundi7.5
110=Italy7.5
110=Norway7.5
114Kazakhstan7.7
115=Congo, (Brazzaville)7.8
115=Brazil7.8
117Panama7.9
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
102Bolivia2.58
103Russia1.42
104=Austria1.41
104=Norway1.41
104=Estonia1.41
107Bhutan1.40
108Switzerland1.39
109St Lucia1.39
Europe Avg1.53
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
36
Pos.201436
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
86Tajikistan 533
87S. Africa 537
88Iceland 551
89Norway 556
90Gabon 559
91Venezuela 565
92Uzbekistan 573
93Oman 577
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate37
Pos.2013
Per 100k37
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
56Iceland23.5
57New Zealand23.6
58Ireland23.7
59Norway23.8
60=Denmark23.9
60=Germany23.9
62Cuba24.5
63=Romania24.5
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
4UK4
5Norway5
6Switzerland6
7Germany7
8Canada8
9Netherlands9
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
39
Pos.2016
%39
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
120Finland57.9
121Macedonia58.1
122Nicaragua58.2
123=Norway58.3
123=Poland58.3
125Ukraine58.4
126=Cuba58.5
126=Italy58.5
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
33
Pos.2022
Per 100033
1Hong Kong1.6
2Denmark1.8
3S. Korea2.1
4Norway2.2
5Switzerland2.2
6N. Korea2.4
7Singapore2.5
8Netherlands2.7
9Japan2.8
10UAE2.8
11Liechtenstein3.0
12Sweden3.3
Europe Avg11.4
World Avg43.8
q=195.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
35
Pos.2015
Avg %35
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
74Singapore94.6
75UK94.6
76Solomon Islands94.5
77Norway94.3
78Bolivia94.2
79=UAE94.0
79=Bangladesh94.0
79=Tanzania94.0
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
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)40
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank40
1Switzerland45.0
2Denmark50.4
3Liechtenstein56.8
...
10Ireland63.1
11Cyprus64.8
12Hungary65.8
13Norway66.9
14Netherlands71.1
15Luxembourg71.4
16Sweden71.8
17Finland71.9
18France72.8
Europe Avg86.45
q=48.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)40
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank40
1Sri Lanka34.9
2Uruguay43.2
3Switzerland45.0
...
48Guatemala66.1
49Lesotho66.1
50Mexico66.3
51Norway66.9
52Guinea67.1
53El Salvador67.4
54Bangladesh69.7
55Brazil70.2
World Avg84.93
q=199.

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:

Norway is 51st in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Norway comes in the best 20 for its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, its score on the Green Future Index41 (amongst the best in Europe) and in its environmental performance42. It does better than average for its forested percent change 2000-202043. But, things still need to improve in Norway. Norway does worse than average when it comes to energy to GDP efficiency44 and in reducing annual meat consumption per person45. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population46.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
43
Pos.Total43
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
77Russia0.7%
78French Polynesia0.6%
79Germany0.6%
80Norway0.6%
81Cyprus0.5%
82New Zealand0.4%
83Slovenia0.4%
84Wallis & Futuna0.3%
Europe Avg8.2%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
42
Pos.201842
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
13Germany78.4
14Norway77.5
15Belgium77.4
16Italy77.0
17New Zealand76.0
18Netherlands75.5
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Lower is better
44
Pos.2022
Avg44
1Rwanda0.25
2Chad0.26
3Tanzania0.31
...
96Luxembourg1.16
97Netherlands1.17
98Azerbaijan1.18
99Norway1.19
100Argentina1.19
101Cape Verde1.19
102Dominica1.20
103Greece1.20
Europe Avg1.25
World Avg1.23
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
1Sweden83%
2Canada82%
3Norway81%
4Latvia81%
5Estonia80%
6Ukraine80%
7Finland79%
8Georgia79%
9Switzerland78%
10Nigeria78%
11Germany76%
12Belarus76%
Europe Avg62.7%
World Avg57.5%
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 better
46
Pos.2011
%46
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
125UK22.6%
126Malawi22.0%
127UAE20.8%
128Norway20.5%
129Botswana20.4%
130USA19.7%
131Kuwait19.6%
132Zimbabwe19.6%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
45
Pos.2021
kg45
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
131Latvia74.0
132Finland74.0
133Italy74.3
134Norway74.7
135Mexico75.4
136Cyprus75.8
137Austria76.4
138Germany76.6
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.
Green Future Index
Higher is better
41
Pos.2023
Score41
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
4=Sweden6.3
4=Denmark6.3
6Netherlands6.2
7UK6.1
8S. Korea6.0
9France6.0
10=Spain5.9
10=Germany5.9
12Belgium5.8
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
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.47

7. Norway's Modernity and Learning

#capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #education #english #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #life_expectancy #maths #modernity #morals #norway #peace #politics #religion #religiosity #religious_violence #research #science #secularisation #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)48
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank48
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
4Iceland15.0
5Sweden15.8
6Germany16.3
7Switzerland17.4
8Estonia17.9
9Norway18.3
10UK19.4
11Netherlands19.5
12Ireland19.8
13Austria19.9
Europe Avg39.81
q=45.
Modernity & Learning (2020)48
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank48
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
...
8Australia16.6
9Switzerland17.4
10Estonia17.9
11Norway18.3
12UK19.4
13Netherlands19.5
14Ireland19.8
15Austria19.9
World Avg86.31
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 Denmark49. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone49. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots50.

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)51

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 Europe49, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia49.

For more, see:

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. 52

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2953
2Israel4.1153
3Japan3.5853
...
17=Czechia2.0053
18Netherlands1.9753
19Iceland1.8953
20=Norway1.7053
20=UK1.7053
22Canada1.6153
23Ireland1.5253
24Estonia1.4353
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
54
Pos.201854
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
23Croatia95.7%
24Azerbaijan95.6%
25USA95.6%
26Norway95.4%
27S. Korea95.2%
28Bulgaria95.1%
29Lithuania94.9%
30Ukraine94.6%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
55
Pos.2021
Years55
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
10Netherlands18.7
11Grenada18.7
12Turkey18.3
13Norway18.2
14Spain17.9
15Argentina17.9
16Slovenia17.7
17UK17.3
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
46Belarus46
47Moldova47
48Montenegro48
49Norway49
50Fiji50
51Dominica51
52Malaysia52
53Russia53
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
56
Pos.2015
Score56
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
14=Netherlands1524
15Switzerland1519
16New Zealand1517
17=Norway1513
17=Denmark1513
19Poland1511
20Belgium1508
21=Vietnam1507
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
57
Pos.2018
%57
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
20=Australia18
20=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
25=Belarus21
27Ireland22
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better58
Pos.200658
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
9=Switzerland101
9=Mongolia101
11Netherlands100
12=Norway100
12=Austria100
12=UK100
15New Zealand99
16=Poland99
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
59
Pos.201659
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
4Bermuda97%
5Andorra97%
6Denmark96%
7Liechtenstein96%
8Luxembourg95%
9Netherlands94%
10Sweden93%
11Monaco93%
12UK93%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
60
Pos.2017
Ratio60
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
15Ecuador18.2
16Estonia17.6
17Malaysia16.5
18Norway14.7
19Australia14.6
20Trinidad & Tobago14.5
21Finland14.1
22Brazil13.9
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.
Digital Quality of Life
Higher is better
61
Pos.202461
1Germany77.9%
2Finland76.9%
3France73.9%
...
21=S. Korea66.0%
22Ireland65.9%
23Israel65.4%
24Norway64.5%
25Canada63.4%
26Italy63.3%
27Czechia63.2%
28Latvia63.2%
Europe Avg61.0%
World Avg48.4%
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)62
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank62
1Denmark11.2
2Norway13.9
3Netherlands14.4
4Finland16.1
5Sweden19.6
6Austria20.7
7Switzerland21.2
8Iceland22.3
9Ireland22.8
10Germany24.4
11Luxembourg25.7
12Belgium31.3
13UK31.8
Europe Avg48.48
q=44.
Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)62
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank62
1Denmark11.2
2Norway13.9
3Netherlands14.4
4New Zealand15.5
5Finland16.1
6Sweden19.6
7Singapore20.2
8Austria20.7
9Switzerland21.2
10Iceland22.3
11Ireland22.8
12Canada23.1
World Avg78.12
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:

National Culture:

World Giving Index
Higher is better
63
Pos.2022
%63
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
33=Singapore45.0
33=Macedonia45.0
33=Venezuela45.0
33=Norway45.0
33=Austria45.0
38Sri Lanka44.0
39=Ethiopia44.0
39=Bosnia & Herzegovina44.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
64
Pos.2022
Points64
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5=Singapore83.0
5=Sweden83.0
7Switzerland82.0
8Netherlands80.0
9Germany79.0
10=Ireland77.0
10=Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
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 better
65
Pos.2024
Score65
1Finland7.7
2Denmark7.5
3Iceland7.5
4Sweden7.3
5Netherlands7.3
6Costa Rica7.3
7Norway7.3
8Israel7.2
9Luxembourg7.1
10Mexico7.0
11Australia7.0
12New Zealand7.0
Europe Avg6.37
World Avg5.58
q=147.
Throughout the 2010s, Norway was the 3rd happiest country in the world, temporarily gaining the top spot in 2016.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
19Hungary19
20Slovakia20
21Poland21
22Norway22
23Lithuania23
24St Lucia24
25Canada25
26Italy26
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
66
Pos.2023
Score66
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
21Qatar1.52
22Australia1.53
23Mauritius1.55
24Norway1.55
25Estonia1.56
26Slovakia1.58
27Latvia1.58
28Sweden1.63
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
48UK48
49Timor-Leste (E. Timor)49
50Ireland50
51Norway51
52Finland52
53France53
54Australia54
55Italy55
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
67
Pos.2019
Score67
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
20=Guyana0.04
21UAE0.05
22Slovakia0.06
23Norway0.08
24Lesotho0.10
25Liberia0.11
26=Moldova0.12
26=Serbia0.12
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better68
Pos.201968
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
4Sweden2.90
5=Slovenia2.90
5=Japan2.90
7Finland3.00
8=Czechia3.00
8=Norway3.00
8=S. Korea3.00
8=Spain3.00
12Netherlands3.10
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
69
Pos.2023
%69
1Slovakia24.1%70
2Slovenia24.3%70
3Belarus24.4%71
...
14Tonga27.1%70
15Algeria27.6%72
16=Finland27.7%70
16=Norway27.7%73
18Kiribati27.8%73
19Armenia27.9%74
20Denmark28.3%70
21=Poland28.5%70
Europe Avg30.7%
World Avg36.5%
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)57
Pos.Lower is better
%57
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
20=Australia18
20=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
25=Belarus21
27Ireland22
28=Kazakhstan22
28=Spain22
30Slovakia23
31=Ukraine23
32Canada27
33=Uzbekistan29
33=Uruguay29
35Poland30
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)75
Pos.Higher is better
%75
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
13Slovenia35
14Bulgaria34
15Hungary32
16Norway31
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
19Russia27
20Australia25
21Taiwan24
22=New Zealand22
22=Canada22
24Latvia20
25=Ukraine20
25=Mongolia20
27Austria18
28=Slovakia17
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 below76:

Christian84.7%
Muslim3.7%
Hindu0.5%
Buddhist0.6%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.1%
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)77.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)78, 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)79

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"80 (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.80)

Links: