Country Summary
Introduction
Background
Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity 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
5,553,840 (2022 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; note - Sami has three dialects: Lule, North Sami, and South Sami; Sami is an official language in nine municipalities in Norway's three northernmost counties: Finnmark, Nordland, and Troms
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
0.8% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Oslo
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 Jonas Gahr STORE (since 14 October 2021); note - Prime Minister Erna SOLBERG resigned on 12 October 2021
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income non-EU European economy; aging labor force; large state-owned energy company constrains budget and spending; largest oil sovereign wealth fund; major fishing, forestry, and extraction industries; large welfare system
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$342.06 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$63,600 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, barley, wheat, potatoes, oats, pork, poultry, beef, eggs, rye
Industries
petroleum and gas, shipping, fishing, aquaculture, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles
Exports
$117.06 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
United Kingdom 18%, Germany 14%, Netherlands 10%, Sweden 9%, France 6%, United States 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, fish, refined petroleum, aluminum (2019)
Imports
$119 (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Sweden 17%, Germany 12%, China 8%, Denmark 7%, United States 6%, United Kingdom 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, crude petroleum (2019)
Exchange rates
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Thursday, December 01, 2022
