Norway

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off after Christianity was adopted in 994. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence from Sweden.

Geography

Area
total : 323,802 sq km
land: 304,282 sq km
water: 19,520 sq km

Climate
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast

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

People and Society

Population
total: 5,509,733 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Norwegian 81.5% (includes about 60,000 Sami), other European 8.9%, other 9.6% (2021 est.)

Languages
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Religions
Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 67.5%, Muslim 3.1%, Roman Catholic 3.1%, other Christian 3.8%, other 2.6%, unspecified 19.9% (2021 est.)

Population growth rate
0.59% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Oslo

Executive branch
chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991)
head of government: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr STORE (since 14 October 2021)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Anniken Scharning HUITFELDT (since 18 September 2024)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Eric MEYER (since August 2024)

Economy

Economic overview
high-income, non-EU economy with trade links via European Economic Area (EEA); key role in European energy security as leader in oil, gas, and electricity exports; major fishing, forestry, and oil(?) extraction industries; oil sovereign fund supports generous welfare system; low unemployment; inflation moderating but remains above target level

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$507.68 billion (2024 est.)
$497.236 billion (2023 est.)
$496.877 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$91,100 (2024 est.)
$90,100 (2023 est.)
$91,100 (2022 est.)

Exports
$229.205 billion (2024 est.)
$230.882 billion (2023 est.)
$323.875 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 18%, UK 17%, Sweden 9%, Denmark 7%, Netherlands 6% (2023)

Exports - commodities
natural gas, crude petroleum, fish, refined petroleum, aluminum (2023)

Imports
$162.467 billion (2024 est.)
$156.11 billion (2023 est.)
$160.649 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
Sweden 11%, Germany 11%, China 11%, USA 7%, Netherlands 5% (2023)

Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, ships, nickel, garments (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.970, ranking it 2nd out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 20th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.818. (more information)