

Topic: 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.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.

Topic: 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

Topic: 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.)

Topic: 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)

Topic: 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 systemhigh-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: $119.08 billion (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)Page last updated: Thursday, May 12, 2022