Page last updated on February 3, 2014
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.
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
total: 323,802 sq km
country comparison to the world: 68
land: 304,282 sq km
water: 19,520 sq km
slightly larger than New Mexico
total: 2,542 km
border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
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)
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 10 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
arable land: 2.52%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 97.46% (2011)
total: 2.94 cu km/yr (28%/43%/29%)
per capita: 622.4 cu m/yr (2006)
rockslides, avalanches
volcanism: Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
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
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
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%, other 2% (2007 estimate)
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
note: Sami is an official language in nine municipalities
Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 82.1%, other Christian 3.9%, Muslim 2.3%, Roman Catholic 1.8%, other 2.4%, unspecified 7.5% (2011 est.)
5,085,582 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
note: Norway's national statistical agency estimated the national population to be approximately 5.08 million as of 1 July 2013
0-14 years: 17.5% (male 421,440/female 404,161)
15-24 years: 13.4% (male 322,413/female 309,906)
25-54 years: 39.8% (male 950,047/female 931,000)
55-64 years: 12.5% (male 296,759/female 292,777)
65 years and over: 16.8% (male 350,812/female 443,386) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 52.6 %
youth dependency ratio: 28.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 24.1 %
potential support ratio: 4.1 (2013)
total: 40.6 years
male: 39.7 years
female: 41.4 years (2013 est.)
0.33% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
10.8 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
9.21 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
urban population: 79% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
OSLO (capital) 875,000 (2009)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 168
total: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 211
male: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 80.44 years
country comparison to the world: 27
male: 77.76 years
female: 83.27 years (2013 est.)
1.77 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
88.4%
note: percent of women aged 20-44 (2005)
9.1% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 42
4.08 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
3.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
4,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
21.5% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 84
7.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 21
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
total: 18 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2010)
total: 8.6%
country comparison to the world: 117
male: 10%
female: 7.2% (2012)
conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
local short form: Norge
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
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
Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
drafted spring 1814, adopted 16 May 1814, signed by Constituent Assembly 17 May 1814; amended many times, last in 2012 (2012)
mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law; Supreme Court can advise on legislative acts
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
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 Erna SOLBERG (since 9 September 2013)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of parliament
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
modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 9 September 2013 (next to be held in September 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - Ap 30.8%, H 26.3%, FrP 16.3%, KrF 5.6%, Sp 5.5%, V 5.2%, SV 4.1%, MDG 2.8, other 2.7%; seats by party - Ap 55, H 48, FrP 29, Sp 10, KrF 10, V 9, SV 7, MDG 1
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (consists of the chief justice and 18 associate justices)
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the monarch (King in Council) upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Board; justice retirement mandatory at age 70
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal or Lagmensrett; regional and district courts; Conciliation Boards; ordinary and special courts
Center Party or Sp [Liv Signe NAVARSETE]
Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (Naeringslivets Hovedorganisasjon) or NHO [President Kristin SKOGEN LUND; CEO John Gordon BERNANDER]
other: environmental groups; media; digital privacy movements
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, EITI (implementing country), ESA, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), 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
chief of mission: Ambassador Kare Reidar AAS (since 22 August 2013)
chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000
FAX: [1] (202) 469-3990
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Julie Faruta-Toy (since 27 September 2013)
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] 21-30-85-40
FAX: [47] 22-44-33-63, 22-56-27-51
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)
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
The Norwegian economy is a prosperous mixed economy, with a vibrant private sector, a large state sector, and an extensive social safety net. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through extensive regulation and 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 the largest portion of export revenue and about 20% of government revenue. Norway is the world's third-largest natural gas exporter; and seventh largest oil exporter, making one of its largest offshore oil finds in 2011. 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 $700 billion in January 2013 and uses the fund''s return to help finance public expenses. After solid GDP growth in 2004-07, the economy slowed in 2008, and contracted in 2009, before returning to positive growth in 2010-12, however, the government budget is set to remain in surplus.
$274.1 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$492.9 billion (2012 est.)
3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$54,400 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
39.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
household consumption: 40.4%
government consumption: 21.3%
investment in fixed capital: 20.6%
investment in inventories: 4.5%
exports of goods and services: 40.7%
imports of goods and services: -27.5%
agriculture: 1.2%
industry: 42.5%
services: 56.3% (2012 est.)
barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
3.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
2.678 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 21.1%
services: 76% (2008)
3.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 21% (2008)
25 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 131
revenues: $285.7 billion
expenditures: $216.5 billion (2012 est.)
58% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
14% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
29.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data exclude treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
0.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
6.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
3.7% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$152.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$309.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$705.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$219.2 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 30
$71.87 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$166 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
UK 25.6%, Germany 12.6%, Netherlands 12%, France 6.7%, Sweden 6.3%, US 5% (2012)
$89.05 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Sweden 13.6%, Germany 12.4%, China 9.3%, Denmark 6.3%, UK 6.1%, US 5.4% (2012)
$51.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$659.1 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 20
note: Norway is a net external creditor
$256.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$241.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar -
125.2 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
120.9 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
22.17 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
4.168 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
30.18 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
91.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
1.902 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
1.602 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
11,320 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
5.366 billion bbl (1 January 2010 es)
country comparison to the world: 24
307,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
255,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
349,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
100,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
114.7 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
5.506 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
107.3 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
2.07 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 17
45.87 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
1.465 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 66
5.732 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 103
general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe
domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of mobile-cellular systems
international: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (2011)
state-owned public radio-TV broadcaster operates 3 nationwide TV stations, 3 nationwide radio stations, and 16 regional radio stations; roughly a dozen privately owned television stations broadcast nationally and roughly another 25 local TV stations broadcasting; nearly 75% of households have access to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; 2 privately owned radio stations broadcast nationwide and another 240 stations operate locally (2008)
3.588 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 29
4.431 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 53
95 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 61
total: 67
2,438 to 3,047 m: 14
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m: 21 (2013)
total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m:
condensate 578 km; condensate/gas 220 km; gas 8,044 km; oil 3,794 km; oil/gas/water 457 km; water 96 km (2013)
total: 4,237 km
country comparison to the world: 39
standard gauge: 4,237 km 1.435-m gauge (2,784 km electrified) (2012)
total: 93,870 km (includes 393 km of expressways)
country comparison to the world: 51
paved: 75,754 km
unpaved: 18,116 km (2013)
1,577 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 52
total: 585
country comparison to the world: 19
by type: bulk carrier 55, cargo 105, carrier 5, chemical tanker 121, combination ore/oil 12, liquefied gas 47, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 121, petroleum tanker 54, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 49
foreign-owned: 81 (Bermuda 24, Canada 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, France 5, Iceland 2, Lithuania 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Sweden 27, US 10)
registered in other countries: 974 (Antigua and Barbuda 9, Bahamas 186, Barbados 38, Belize 2, Bermuda 5, Brazil 3, Canada 4, Chile 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 8, Croatia 2, Curacao 2, Cyprus 14, Denmark 2, Dominica 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 13, Gibraltar 46, Hong Kong 48, Indonesia 3, Isle of Man 30, Italy 6, Liberia 38, Libya 1, Malta 96, Marshall Islands 75, Netherlands 19, Panama 81, Portugal 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Singapore 153, Spain 10, Sweden 3, UK 32, US 17, Vanuatu 1, unknown 3) (2010)
major seaport(s): Bergen, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Sture
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) (2013)
19-35 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; 1-year service obligation followed by 4-5 refresher training periods through ages 35-60, totalling 18 months (2012)
males age 16-49: 1,079,043
females age 16-49: 1,051,210 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 888,761
females age 16-49: 865,697 (2010 est.)
male: 32,290
female: 30,777 (2010 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 197
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
