Norway

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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

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

note: includes the mainland at 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations at 22,498 km; length of island coastlines is 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

1 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 195

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.)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

total: 0% of population (2022 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

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 19 years (2023 est.)

male: 18 years (2023 est.)

female: 20 years (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and affecting lakes and fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions

International environmental 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

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

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

Particulate matter emissions

7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 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: 5 (2025)

global geoparks and regional networks: Gea Norvegica; Fjord Coast; Magma; Sunnhordland; Trollfjell (2025)

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

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: 9/13/2021

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 color(s)

red, white, blue

National anthem(s)

title: “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (Yes, We Love This Country)

lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK

history: in use since 1864, but never officially adopted
_____

title: “Kongesangen” (Song of the King)

lyrics/music: Gustav JENSEN

history: royal anthem; uses the tune of “God Save the King,” the United Kingdom’s anthem

note: since 2011, the patriotic song “Mitt lille land” has been called a new national anthem and is sometimes performed at patriotic events, but it is not used as often as “Ja, vi elsker dette landet”

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)

$507.68 billion (2024 est.)
$497.236 billion (2023 est.)
$496.877 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 49

Real GDP growth rate

2.1% (2024 est.)
0.1% (2023 est.)
3.2% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 144

Real GDP per capita

$91,100 (2024 est.)
$90,100 (2023 est.)
$91,100 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 9

GDP (official exchange rate)

$483.727 billion (2024 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: 98

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2% (2024 est.)

industry: 37% (2024 est.)

services: 51.8% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 136; industry 31; agriculture 150

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 37.7% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 22% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 21.7% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 2.6% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 47.9% (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

2.4% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 91

Labor force

3.042 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 110

Unemployment rate

4% (2024 est.)
3.6% (2023 est.)
3.3% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 64

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 109

Population below poverty line

12.2% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

26.9 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 143

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%: 3.5% (2022 est.)

highest 10%: 22% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

0.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.1% of GDP (2022 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

27.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 9

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: 33

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.)

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

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 long-term defense plan which would double defense spending by the mid-2030s 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 (2025)

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

around 100 Lithuania (NATO); Norway also deploys air and naval assets in support of other NATO operations (2025)

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 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; 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 in 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 (2025)

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