| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 2.59 | 3.7 | 2.39 | -0.3 | 1.48 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| CPI % | 7.66 | 2.34 | 1.95 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 5.5 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.6 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1 | 4.62 | 3.7 | 3.55 | 3.97 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Debt/GDP % | 36.88 | 35.5 | 42.27 | 41.9 | 34.67 | 42.4 | 52.8 | 45.0 | 42.9 | 39.4 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | 0.17 | 4.52 | 14.12 | 11.25 | 8.36 | 17.1 | 15.0 | 14.1 | 14.3 | 13.6 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
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.
Area: 323,802 sq km km2
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
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.)
Capital: Oslo
Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991)
Head of government: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr STORE (since 14 October 2021)
Description: Parliament (Stortinget) - unicameral
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
petroleum and gas, shipping, fishing, aquaculture, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 2% (2024 est.), Industry: 37% (2024 est.), Services: 51.8% (2024 est.)
Export partners: Germany 18%, UK 17%, Sweden 9%, Denmark 7%, Netherlands 6% (2023)
Export commodities: natural gas, crude petroleum, fish, refined petroleum, aluminum (2023)
Import partners: Sweden 11%, Germany 11%, China 11%, USA 7%, Netherlands 5% (2023)
Import commodities: cars, refined petroleum, ships, nickel, garments (2023)
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Military expenditure: 2025: 3.4% of GDP (2025 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.