Norway

Norway

Introduction

Background

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.

Geography

Location

Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 10 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 323,802 sq km
country comparison to the world: 68 land:304,282 sq km
water:19,520 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries

total: 2,542 km
border countries:Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km

Coastline

25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km

length of island coastlines 58,133 km)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:10 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm

Climate

temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current

colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers

rainy year-round on west coast

Terrain

glaciated

mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys

small, scattered plains

coastline deeply indented by fjords

arctic tundra in north

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point:Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower

Land use

arable land: 2.7%
permanent crops:0%
other:97.3% (2005)

Irrigated land

1,180 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

381.4 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.4cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%)
per capita:519cu m/yr (1996)

Natural hazards

rockslides, avalanches
volcanism:Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country’s only active volcano

Environment – current issues

water pollution

acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks

air pollution from vehicle emissions

Environment – international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

about two-thirds mountains

some 50,000 islands off its much-indented coastline

strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic

one of the most rugged and longest coastlines in the world

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective:Norwegian

Ethnic groups

Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%, other 2% (2007 estimate)

Languages

Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
note:Sami is official in six municipalities

Religions

Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)

Population

4,691,849 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Age structure

0-14 years: 18% (male 431,111/female 412,864)
15-64 years:66% (male 1,568,729/female 1,529,799)
65 years and over:16% (male 326,711/female 422,635) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 40 years
male:39.1 years
female:40.8 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.329% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Birth rate

10.84 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176

Death rate

9.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66

Net migration rate

1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Urbanization

urban population: 79% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

OSLO (capital) 875,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.76 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 159

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 209 male:3.85 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.2 years
country comparison to the world: 25 male:77.53 years
female:83.02 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 35

Physicians density

4.076 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 10

Hospital bed density

3.52 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 59

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

4,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

10% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 55

Education expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 18

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:100%
male:100%
female:100%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years
male:17 years
female:18 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 9.2%
country comparison to the world: 107 male:10.3%
female:8% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form:Norway
local long form:Kongeriket Norge
local short form:Norge

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Capital

name: Oslo
geographic coordinates:59 55 N, 10 45 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March

ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions

19 counties (fylker, singular – fylke)

Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold

Dependent areas

Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard

Independence

7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved)

26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)

National holiday

Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)

Constitution

17 May 1814

amended many times

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law

Supreme Court can advise on legislative acts

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991)

Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973)
head of government:Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17 October 2005)
cabinet:State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the monarchy is hereditary

following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the parliament

Legislative branch

modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats

members elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 14 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)
election results:percent of vote by party – DNA 35.4%, FrP 22.9%, H 17.2%, SV 6.2%, Sp 6.2%, KrF 5.5%, V 3.9%, other 2.7%

seats by party – DNA 64, FrP 41, H 30, SV 11, Sp 11, KrF 10, V 2

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders

Center Party (Senterpartiet or Sp) [Liv Signe NAVARSETE]

Christian People’s Party (Kristelig Folkeparti or KrF) [Dagfinn HOYBRATEN]

Conservative Party (Hoyre or H) [Erna SOLBERG]

Labor Party (Det norske Arbeiderpartiet or DNA) [Jens STOLTENBERG]

Liberal Party (Venstre or V) [Trine SKEI-GRANDE]

Progress Party (Framstegspartiet or FrP) [Siv JENSEN]

Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti or SV) [Kristin HALVORSEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Norwegian Aid Committee or NORWAC

Norwegian Association of the Disabled

Pure Salmon Campaign

The Consumer Council (consumer advocacy group)
other:environmental groups

media

reform movements

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Wegger C. STROMMEN
chancery:2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 333-6000
FAX:[1] (202) 337-0870
consulate(s) general:Houston, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Barry B. WHITE
embassy:Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo

note – the embassy will move to Huseby in the near future
mailing address:PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707
telephone:[47] 22 44 85 50
FAX:[47] 22 44 33 63, 22 56 27 51

Flag description

red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag

the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

the colors recall Norway’s past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue)

National symbol(s)

lion

National anthem

name: “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (Yes, We Love This Country)
lyrics/music:Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK
note:adopted 1864

in addition to the national anthem, “Kongesangen” (Song of the King), which uses the tune of “God Save the Queen,” serves as the royal anthem

Economy

Economy – overview

The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through large-scale state-majority-owned enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources – petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals – and is highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for nearly half of exports and over 30% of state revenue. Norway is the world’s second-largest gas exporter

its position as an oil exporter has slipped to ninth-largest as production has begun to decline. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994

nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it contributes sizably to the EU budget. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves state revenue from the petroleum sector in the world’s second largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $500 billion in 2010. After solid GDP growth in 2004-07, the economy slowed in 2008, and contracted in 2009, before returning to positive growth in 2010.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$255.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47 $254.2 billion (2009 est.)
$257.9 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$414.5 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

0.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182 -1.4% (2009 est.)
0.8% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$54,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7 $54,500 (2009 est.)
$55,500 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 2.6%
industry:39.3%
services:58.1% (2010 est.)

Labor force

2.602 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 2.9%
industry:21.1%
services:76% (2008)

Unemployment rate

3.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28 3.2% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%:21% (2008)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

25 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 138 25.8 (1995)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Budget

revenues: $233.5 billion
expenditures:$184.5 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

56.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

11.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Public debt

49.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 49.1% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86 2.1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119 1.75% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.6% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168 4.525% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$134.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26 $128.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$280.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32 $264.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$584.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23 $556.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$250.9 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 27 $227.2 billion (31 December 2009)
$125.9 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

barley, wheat, potatoes

pork, beef, veal, milk

fish

Industries

petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing

Industrial production growth rate

-5.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165

Electricity – production

129.9 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Electricity – consumption

115.6 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Electricity – exports

14.63 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

8.983 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

2.134 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15

Oil – consumption

221,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Oil – exports

2.184 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6

Oil – imports

118,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Oil – proved reserves

5.67 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22

Natural gas – production

106.3 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7

Natural gas – consumption

6.6 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas – exports

99.75 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas – proved reserves

2.039 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Current account balance

$53.46 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8 $44.54 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$132.7 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31 $116 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish

Exports – partners

UK 26.7%, Netherlands 12.1%, Germany 11.4%, Sweden 7%, France 6.6%, US 5% (2010)

Imports

$74.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37 $67.21 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs

Imports – partners

Sweden 14.1%, Germany 12.4%, China 8.5%, Denmark 6.3%, UK 5.9%, US 5.4% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$52.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30 $48.86 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$644.5 billion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 18 note:Norway is a net external creditor

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$148.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25 $136.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$213.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19 $201.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar -
6.044 (2010)
6.288 (2009)
5.6361 (2008)
5.86 (2007)
6.418 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

98 (2010)
country comparison to the world:61

Airports – with paved runways

total: 67
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:12
1,524 to 2,437 m:11
914 to 1,523 m:18
under 914 m:25 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 31
914 to 1,523 m:6
under 914 m:25 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Pipelines

condensate 31 km

gas 64 km (2010)

Railways

total: 4,169 km
country comparison to the world: 39 standard gauge:4,169 km 1.435-m gauge (2,784 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total: 93,247 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 50

Waterways

1,577 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 52

Merchant marine

total: 632
country comparison to the world: 19 by type:bulk carrier 43, cargo 133, carrier 5, chemical tanker 139, combination ore/oil 12, container 1, liquefied gas 53, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 116, petroleum tanker 58, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 46
foreign-owned:104 (Bermuda 5, Canada 1, China 25, Cyprus 1, Denmark 11, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 4, Iceland 3, Italy 3, Lithuania 1, Monaco 1, Poland 2, Saudi Arabia 3, Sweden 33, US 9)
registered in other countries:940 (Antigua and Barbuda 9, Australia 1, Bahamas 198, Barbados 41, Belize 3, Bermuda 5, Brazil 3, Canada 4, Chile 1, Comoros 2, Cook Islands 6, Croatia 2, Cyprus 12, Denmark 2, Dominica 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 6, Finland 2, France 1, Gibraltar 42, Hong Kong 49, Indonesia 4, Ireland 3, Isle of Man 26, Italy 6, Japan 1, Liberia 42, Libya 1, Malta 84, Marshall Islands 57, Netherlands 18, former Netherlands Antilles 2, Panama 89, Portugal 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12, Singapore 132, Spain 10, Sweden 3, UK 39, US 10, Vanuatu 1, Venezuela 1, unknown 4) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bergen, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Sture

Military

Military branches

Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske Sjoeforsvaret, RNoN

includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-44 years of age for male compulsory military service

16 years of age in wartime

17 years of age for male volunteers

18 years of age for women

12-month service obligation, in practice shortened to 8 to 9 months

although all males between ages of 18 and 44 are liable for service, in practice they are seldom called to duty after age 30

reserve obligation to age 35-60

16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard, who serve 6-month duty tours (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,079,043
females age 16-49:1,051,210 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 888,761
females age 16-49:865,697 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 32,290
female:30,777 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf)

Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission

Norway and Russia signed a comprehensive maritime boundary agreement in 2010