Factbook dossier
Background
Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off after King Olav TRYGGVASON adopted Christianity 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. Norway remained neutral in World War I and proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but Nazi Germany nonetheless occupied the country for five years (1940-45). In 1949, Norway abandoned neutrality and 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.
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Area
total : 323,802 sq km land: 304,282 sq km water: 19,520 sq km
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Natural hazards
rockslides, avalanches volcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano
Population
total: 5,509,733 (2024 est.) male: 2,780,972 female: 2,728,761
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 major-language sample(s): Verdens Faktabok, den essensielle kilden for grunnleggende informasjon. (Norwegian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: Sami has three dialects (Lule, North Sami, and South Sami) and is an official language in nine municipalities in the northernmost counties of 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.)
Environmental issues
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and affecting lakes and fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Government type
parliamentary 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 etymology: the name may derive from the Old Norwegian word os , meaning "estuary" and referring to the city's location on a fjord; alternatively, the name may come from As, a Scandinavian god, and Lo, a nearby river
Executive branch
chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr STORE (since 14 October 2021) cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch, approved by Parliament election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the monarch usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister, with the approval of Parliament
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament (Stortinget) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 169 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 9/8/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Labour Party (53); Progress Party (47); Conservative Party (24); Socialist Left Party (9); Center Party (9); Red Party (9); Other (18) percentage of women in chamber: 40.2% expected date of next election: September 2029
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$507.68 billion (2024 est.) $497.236 billion (2023 est.) $496.877 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$91,100 (2024 est.) $90,100 (2023 est.) $91,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.1% (2024 est.) 5.5% (2023 est.) 5.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Germany 18%, UK 17%, Sweden 9%, Denmark 7%, Netherlands 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Sweden 11%, Germany 11%, China 11%, USA 7%, Netherlands 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Norwegian Armed Forces (Forsvaret or "the Defense"): Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske Sjoeforsvaret; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2025) note: the Norwegian Police Service is under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security
Military expenditures
3.4% of GDP (2025 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2021 est.)