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.
Geography
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates
62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total : 323,802 sq km
land: 304,282 sq km
water: 19,520 sq km
comparison ranking: total 69
Area – comparative
slightly larger than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than New Mexico
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 2,566 km
border countries (3): Finland 709 km; Sweden 1,666 km; Russia 191 km
Coastline
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)
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 10 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
Terrain
glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north
Elevation
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 460 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land: 2.7% (2022 est.)
arable land: 2.2% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.5% (2022 est.)
forest: 33.5% (2022 est.)
other: 63.8% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
337 sq km (2016)
Population distribution
most people live in the south; population clusters are found along the North Sea coast in the southwest and Skaggerak in the southeast; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated
Natural hazards
rockslides, avalanches
volcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country’s only active volcano
Geography – note
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
People and Society
Population
total: 5,509,733 (2024 est.)
male: 2,780,972
female: 2,728,761
comparison rankings: total 120; female 120; male 118
Nationality
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
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
Norwegian audio sample:
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.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 16.3% (male 461,979/female 438,243)
15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,820,692/female 1,734,818)
65 years and over: 19.1% (2024 est.) (male 498,301/female 555,700)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 55 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 25.3 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 29.6 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.4 (2024 est.)
note: data include Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Median age
total: 40.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 40.1 years
female: 41.5 years
comparison ranking: total 57
Population growth rate
0.59% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 142
Birth rate
10.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 179
Death rate
8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 74
Net migration rate
3.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 28
Population distribution
most people live in the south; population clusters are found along the North Sea coast in the southwest and Skaggerak in the southeast; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated
Urbanization
urban population: 84% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
note: data include Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Major urban areas – population
1.086 million OSLO (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
29.8 years (2020 est.)
note: data is calculated based on actual age at first births
Maternal mortality ratio
2 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 185
Infant mortality rate
total: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.5 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 223
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 82.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 81.3 years
female: 84.6 years
comparison ranking: total population 22
Total fertility rate
1.57 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 191
Gross reproduction rate
0.77 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
8.1% of GDP (2022)
17.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
4.98 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
3.4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
23.1% (2016)
comparison ranking: 67
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 6.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 2.63 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 70
Tobacco use
total: 12% (2025 est.)
male: 12.6% (2025 est.)
female: 11.3% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 112
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
50.2% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 0% (2022)
women married by age 18: 0% (2022)
Education expenditure
4% of GDP (2022 est.)
10.1% national budget (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 111
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 18 years
male: 18 years
female: 19 years (2020)
Environment
Environment – current issues
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and affecting lakes and fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment – international agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
Land use
agricultural land: 2.7% (2022 est.)
arable land: 2.2% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.5% (2022 est.)
forest: 33.5% (2022 est.)
other: 63.8% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 84% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
note: data include Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 6.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 41.02 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 4.81 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.187 million tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 572,119 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 26.2% (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 780 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 1.07 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 840 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
393 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 4
global geoparks and regional networks: Gea Norvegica; Magma; Sunnhordland; Trollfjell (2023)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
local short form: Norge
etymology: derives from the Old Norse words norre and vegr, meaning “northern way,” and refers to the long coastline of western Norway
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
Administrative divisions
12 counties (fylker, singular – fylke); Agder, Innlandet, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Oslo, Rogaland, Romsdal, Troms og Finnmark, Trondelag, Vestfold og Telemark, Vestland, Viken (2024)
Dependent areas
Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard (3)
Legal system
mixed system of civil, common, and customary law; Supreme Court can advise on legislative acts
Constitution
history: drafted spring 1814, adopted 16 May 1814, signed by Constituent Assembly 17 May 1814
amendment process: proposals submitted by members of Parliament or by the government within the first three years of Parliament’s four-year term; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of a two-thirds quorum in the next elected Parliament
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Norway
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the 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: 9/13/2021
parties elected and seats per party: Labour Party (48); Conservative Party (36); Center Party (28); Progress Party (21); Socialist Left Party (13); Other (23)
percentage of women in chamber: 44.4%
expected date of next election: September 2025
Judicial branch
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) on the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Board; justices can serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal or Lagmennsrett; regional and district courts; Conciliation Boards; ordinary and special courts
note: in addition to professionally trained judges, elected lay judges sit on the bench with professional judges in the Courts of Appeal and district courts
Political parties
Center Party or Sp
Christian Democratic Party or KrF
Conservative Party or H
Green Party or MDG
Labor Party or Ap
Liberal Party or V
Patient Focus or PF
Progress Party or FrP
Red Party or R
Socialist Left Party or SV
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Anniken Scharning HUITFELDT (since 18 September 2024)
chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000
FAX: [1] (202) 469-3990
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.norway.no/en/usa/
consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Eric MEYER (since August 2024)
embassy: Morgedalsvegen 36, 0378 Oslo
mailing address: 5460 Oslo Place, Washington DC 20521-5460
telephone: [47] 21-30-85-40
FAX: [47] 22-56-27-51
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://no.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Independence
7 June 1905 (union with Sweden declared dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union); notable earlier dates: ca. 872 (traditional unification of Norwegian kingdoms by HARALD Fairhair); 1397 (Kalmar Union of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden); 1524 (Denmark-Norway); 17 May 1814 (Norwegian constitution adopted); 4 November 1814 (Sweden-Norway union confirmed)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Flag description
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 represent Norway’s past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue)
National symbol(s)
lion
National colors
red, white, blue
National anthem
name: “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (Yes, We Love This Country)
lyrics/music: 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 King,” serves as the royal anthem
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 8 (7 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Bryggen (c); Urnes Stave Church (c); Røros Mining Town and the Circumference (c); Rock Art of Alta (c); Vegaøyan – The Vega Archipelago (c); Struve Geodetic Arc (c); West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord (n); Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site (c)
Economy
Economic overview
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$499.357 billion (2023 est.)
$496.973 billion (2022 est.)
$482.472 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 49
Real GDP growth rate
0.48% (2023 est.)
3.01% (2022 est.)
3.91% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 181
Real GDP per capita
$90,500 (2023 est.)
$91,100 (2022 est.)
$89,200 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 8
GDP (official exchange rate)
$485.311 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.1% (2024 est.)
5.5% (2023 est.)
5.8% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 101
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 2.1% (2023 est.)
industry: 39% (2023 est.)
services: 50% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 152; industry 28; agriculture 155
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 37.5% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 21.9% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 23.3% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 2.5% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 47.2% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -32.5% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
milk, barley, potatoes, oats, wheat, pork, chicken, beef, eggs, carrots/turnips (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum and gas, shipping, fishing, aquaculture, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles
Industrial production growth rate
0.23% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 145
Labor force
3.042 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 111
Unemployment rate
4% (2024 est.)
3.6% (2023 est.)
3.2% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 70
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 11.6% (2024 est.)
male: 12.3% (2024 est.)
female: 10.8% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 117
Population below poverty line
12.2% (2021 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
27.7 (2019 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 141
Average household expenditures
on food: 11.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 3.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.4% (2019 est.)
highest 10%: 22.4% (2019 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
0.12% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.11% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.13% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $334.543 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $174.546 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
36.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
note: data cover general government debt and include 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 intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental 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
comparison ranking: 146
Taxes and other revenues
26.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 32
Current account balance
$82.511 billion (2024 est.)
$84.104 billion (2023 est.)
$170.714 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 8
Exports
$229.205 billion (2024 est.)
$230.882 billion (2023 est.)
$323.875 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 35
Exports – partners
Germany 18%, UK 17%, Sweden 9%, Denmark 7%, Netherlands 6% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
natural gas, crude petroleum, fish, refined petroleum, aluminum (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$162.467 billion (2024 est.)
$156.11 billion (2023 est.)
$160.649 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 35
Imports – partners
Sweden 11%, Germany 11%, China 11%, USA 7%, Netherlands 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
cars, refined petroleum, ships, nickel, garments (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$81.242 billion (2024 est.)
$80.459 billion (2023 est.)
$72.077 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 32
Exchange rates
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
10.746 (2024 est.)
10.563 (2023 est.)
9.614 (2022 est.)
8.59 (2021 est.)
9.416 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 41.1 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 127.335 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 30.978 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 13.232 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 7.025 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 170; imports 18; exports 7; consumption 29; installed generating capacity 32
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 9.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 89.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 120,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 1.096 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 60,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 1.042 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 2.02 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 229,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 8.122 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 121.637 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 5.082 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 117.597 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 104.744 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 1.544 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
38.535 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.929 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 25.576 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 10.029 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 64
Energy consumption per capita
206.961 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 17
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 145,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 126
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 6.09 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 119
Broadcast media
state-owned public radio and TV broadcaster operates 3 nationwide TV stations, 3 nationwide radio stations, and 16 regional radio stations; roughly a dozen privately owned TV stations broadcast nationally, and another 25 locally; nearly 75% of households have access to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; 2 privately owned radio stations broadcast nationwide, with another 240 local stations; Norway was the first country to phase out FM radio in favor of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) (2019)
Internet country code
.no
Internet users
percent of population: 99% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 2.49 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 55
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
LN
Airports
146 (2025)
comparison ranking: 36
Heliports
113 (2025)
comparison ranking: 23
Railways
total: 3,848 km (2020) 2,482 km electrified
Merchant marine
total: 1,720 (2022)
by type: bulk carrier 109, container ship 1, general cargo 274, oil tanker 95, other 1,241
comparison ranking: total 17
Ports
total ports: 141 (2024)
large: 1
medium: 10
small: 34
very small: 90
size unknown: 6
ports with oil terminals: 54
key ports: Bergen, Drammen, Hammerfest, Harstad, Horten, Karsto, Mongstad, Oslo, Stavanger, Tromso, Trondheim
Military and Security
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
2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2023)
1.5% of GDP (2022)
1.7% of GDP (2021)
2% of GDP (2020)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 27,000 active Armed Forces (9,000 Army; 4,300 Navy; 4,700 Air Force; 9,000 other, including special operations, cyber, joint staff, intelligence, logistics support, active Home Guard, etc.); approximately 40,000 Home Guard (2024)
note: active personnel include about 10,000 conscripts
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military’s inventory includes a mix of modern, imported Western European and US, as well as domestically produced weapons systems and equipment; in 2024, the Norwegian Government announced a new defense plan which would double defense spending over the following 12 years with priorities placed in such areas as the acquisition of air defenses and naval capabilities; Norway has a defense industry with a focus in niche capabilities and participates in joint development and production of weapons systems with other European countries (2024)
Military service age and obligation
19-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service for men and women; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women volunteers; 12-19 month service obligation; conscripts first serve 12 months between the ages of 19 and 28, and then up to 4-5 refresher training periods until age 35, 44, 55, or 60 depending on rank and function (2024)
note 1: Norway has had compulsory military service since 1907; individuals conscripted each year are selected from a larger cohort who are evaluated through online assessments and physical tests
note 2: Norway was the first NATO country to allow women to serve in all combat arms branches of the military (1985); it also has an all-female special operations unit known as Jegertroppen (The Hunter Troop), which was established in 2014; as of 2023, women comprised about 20% of the military’s full-time personnel
note 3: beginning in 1995, the military began offering Icelandic citizens the opportunity to apply for admission to officer schools in Norway with an associated education and service contract under special reasons and based on recommendations from Icelandic authorities; as early as 1996, Norway and Iceland entered into a cooperation agreement on the voluntary participation of Icelandic personnel in Norwegian force contributions in foreign operations
Military deployments
up to 200 Lithuania (NATO); Norway also has deployed air and naval assets in support of other NATO operations such as the Iceland Air Policing and the Mine Counter Measures Group missions (2024)
Military – note
the Norwegian Armed Forces (Forsvaret) are responsible for protecting Norway and its allies, including monitoring Norway’s airspace, digital, land, and maritime areas, maintaining the country’s borders and sovereignty, contributing to NATO and UN missions, and providing support to civil society, such as assisting the police, search and rescue, and maritime counterterrorism efforts; the military’s territorial and sovereignty defense missions are complicated by Norway’s vast sea areas, numerous islands, long and winding fjords, and difficult and mountainous terrain; a key area of emphasis is its far northern border with Russia
Norway is one of the original members of NATO, and the Alliance is a key component of Norway’s defense policy; the Forsvaret participates regularly in NATO exercises, missions, and operations, including air policing of NATO territory, NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence mission in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe, and standing naval missions, as well as operations in non-NATO areas, such as the Middle East
the Forsvaret also cooperates closely with the militaries of other Nordic countries through the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO; established 2009), which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden; areas of cooperation include armaments, education, human resources, training and exercises, and operations; Norway contributes to the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a pool of high-readiness military forces from 10 Baltic and Scandinavian countries designed to respond to a wide range of contingencies both in peacetime and in times of crisis or conflict with a focus on the High North, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea regions; Norway has close military ties with the US, including rotational US military deployments and an agreement allowing for mutual defense activities and US military forces to access some Norwegian facilities
the Forsvaret’s origins go back to the leidangen, defense forces which were established along the coastline in the 10th century to protect the Norwegian coast (2024)
Space
Space agency/agencies
the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA, aka Norsk Romsenter; established 1987) (2024)
Space launch site(s)
Andøya Space Center (Andøya Island; note – first operational spaceport in continental Europe) (2024)
Space program overview
has a broad and active space program coordinated with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the EU; jointly designs and builds satellites with foreign partners, including communications, remote sensing (RS), scientific, and navigational/positional; operates satellites; develops and launches sounding rockets; researches and produces a range of other space-related technologies, including satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV) and space station components, telescopes, and robotics; conducts solar and telecommunications research; participates in international space programs, such as the International Space Station; hosts training for Mars landing missions on the island of Svalbard; active member of the ESA and cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, ESA/EU member states, Japan, Russia, and the US; has an active and advanced space industry that cooperates with both the NOSA and foreign space programs and produces a variety of space-related products, from terminals for satellite communications and technologies for RS satellites to sensors for gamma radiation in deep space (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 15,901 (Syria), 10,883 (Eritrea) (mid-year 2022); 70,085 (Ukraine) (as of 8 March 2024)
stateless persons: 3,901 (2022)
