2017 Edition

Background

Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON 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. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (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 304,282 sq km 19,520 sq km

land

304,282 sq km

total

323,802 sq km

water

19,520 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than New Mexico

Climate

temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast

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)

Elevation

460 m lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

highest point

Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

mean elevation

460 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 10 00 E

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

Irrigated land

900 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

2,566 km Finland 709 km, Sweden 1,666 km, Russia 191 km

border countries (3)

Finland 709 km, Sweden 1,666 km, Russia 191 km

total

2,566 km

Land use

2.7% arable land 2.2%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0.5% 27.8% 69.5% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

2.7%

forest

27.8%

other

69.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 10 nm 200 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

10 nm

continental shelf

200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

rockslides, avalanches Beerenberg (2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano

volcanism

Beerenberg (2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower

Population - distribution

most Norwegians live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the North Sea coast in the southwest, and Skaggerak in the southeast; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated

Terrain

glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north

Age structure

18% (male 490,915/female 466,515) 12.58% (male 343,103/female 326,053) 41.01% (male 1,125,334/female 1,056,330) 11.71% (male 315,223/female 307,639) 16.71% (male 409,057/female 479,876) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

18% (male 490,915/female 466,515)

15-24 years

12.58% (male 343,103/female 326,053)

25-54 years

41.01% (male 1,125,334/female 1,056,330)

55-64 years

11.71% (male 315,223/female 307,639)

65 years and over

16.71% (male 409,057/female 479,876) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

12.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

52.1 27.3 24.8 data include Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

24.8

note

data include Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

4

total dependency ratio

52.1

youth dependency ratio

27.3

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Norwegian 83.2% (includes about 60,000 Sami), other European 8.3%, other 8.5% (2017 est.)

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

3.85 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant mortality rate

2.5 deaths/1,000 live births 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

2.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Sami is an official language in nine municipalities

note

Sami is an official language in nine municipalities

Life expectancy at birth

81.9 years 79.8 years 84 years (2017 est.)

female

84 years (2017 est.)

male

79.8 years

total population

81.9 years

Major urban areas - population

OSLO (capital) 986,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

39.2 years 38.4 years 40 years (2017 est.)

female

40 years (2017 est.)

male

38.4 years

total

39.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.9 years data is calculated based on actual age at first births (2015 est.)

note

data is calculated based on actual age at first births (2015 est.)

Nationality

Norwegian(s) Norwegian

adjective

Norwegian

noun

Norwegian(s)

Net migration rate

5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.1% (2016)

Physicians density

4.42 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

5,320,045 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most Norweigans live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the North Sea coast in the southwest, and Skaggerak in the southeast; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated

Population growth rate

1.01% (2017 est.)

Religions

Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 71.5%, Roman Catholic 2.8%, other Christian 3.9%, Muslim 2.8%, other 2%, unspecified 7.5% (2016 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98% of population rural: 98.3% of population total: 98.1% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 1.7% of population total: 1.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1.7% of population

total

1.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

18 years 17 years 18 years (2015)

female

18 years (2015)

male

17 years

total

18 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.06 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.85 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11.1% 13% 9.3% (2016 est.)

female

9.3% (2016 est.)

male

13%

total

11.1%

Urbanization

81% of total population (2017) 1.31% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) data include Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands

note

data include Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands

rate of urbanization

1.31% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

81% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold

Capital

Oslo 59 55 N, 10 45 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

59 55 N, 10 45 E

name

Oslo

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Norway no 7 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Norway

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

Constitution

drafted spring 1814, adopted 16 May 1814, signed by Constituent Assembly 17 May 1814 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; amended over 400 times, last in 2015 (2016)

amendments

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; amended over 400 times, last in 2015 (2016)

history

drafted spring 1814, adopted 16 May 1814, signed by Constituent Assembly 17 May 1814

Country name

Kingdom of Norway Norway Kongeriket Norge Norge derives from the Old Norse words "nordr" and "vegr" meaning "northern way" and refers to the long coastline of western Norway

conventional long form

Kingdom of Norway

conventional short form

Norway

etymology

derives from the Old Norse words "nordr" and "vegr" meaning "northern way" and refers to the long coastline of western Norway

local long form

Kongeriket Norge

local short form

Norge

Dependent areas

Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James P. DEHART (since 12 January 2017) Morgedalsvegen 36, 0378 Oslo; PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 [47] 21-30-85-40 [47] 22-44-33-63, 22-56-27-51

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James P. DEHART (since 12 January 2017)

embassy

Morgedalsvegen 36, 0378 Oslo;

FAX

[47] 22-44-33-63, 22-56-27-51

mailing address

PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707

telephone

[47] 21-30-85-40

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Kare Reidar AAS (since 17 September 2013) 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 333-6000 [1] (202) 459-3990 Houston, New York, San Francisco

chancery

2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Kare Reidar AAS (since 17 September 2013)

consulate(s) general

Houston, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 459-3990

telephone

[1] (202) 333-6000

Executive branch

King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973) Prime Minister Erna SOLBERG (since 16 October 2013) State Council appointed by the monarch, approved by Parliament 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

cabinet

State Council appointed by the monarch, approved by Parliament

chief of state

King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973)

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

head of government

Prime Minister Erna SOLBERG (since 16 October 2013)

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 recall Norway's past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue)

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Independence

7 June 1905 (declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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, MINUSMA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (consists of the chief justice and 18 associate justices) justices appointed by the monarch (King in Council) upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Board; justice retirement mandatory at age 70 Courts of Appeal or Lagmensrett; 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

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) upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Board; justice retirement mandatory at age 70

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal or Lagmensrett; 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

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law; Supreme Court can advise on legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 11 September 2017 (next to be held in September 2021) percent of vote by party - Ap 27.4%, H 25%, FrP 15.2%, SP 10.3%, SV 6%, V 4.4%, KrF 4.2%, MDG 3.2%, R 2.4%, other/invalid 1.9%; seats by party - Ap 49, H 45, FrP 27, SP 19, SV 11, V 8, KrF 8, MDG 1, R 1

description

unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - Ap 27.4%, H 25%, FrP 15.2%, SP 10.3%, SV 6%, V 4.4%, KrF 4.2%, MDG 3.2%, R 2.4%, other/invalid 1.9%; seats by party - Ap 49, H 45, FrP 27, SP 19, SV 11, V 8, KrF 8, MDG 1, R 1

elections

last held on 11 September 2017 (next to be held in September 2021)

National anthem

"Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Country) lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK adopted 1864; in addition to the national anthem, "Kongesangen" (Song of the King), which uses the tune of "God Save the Queen," serves as the royal anthem

lyrics/music

lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK

name

"Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Country)

note

adopted 1864; in addition to the national anthem, "Kongesangen" (Song of the King), which uses the tune of "God Save the Queen," serves as the royal anthem

National holiday

Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)

National symbol(s)

lion; national colors: red, white, blue

lion; national colors

red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Center Party or Sp [Trygve Slagsvold VEDUM] Christian Democratic Party or KrF [Knut Arild HAREIDE] Conservative Party or H [Erna SOLBERG] Green Party or MDG [Rasmus HANSSON and Une Aina BASTHOLM] Labor Party or Ap [Jonas Gahr STORE] Liberal Party or V [Trine SKEI GRANDE] Progress Party or FrP [Siv JENSEN] Socialist Left Party or SV [Audun LYSBAKKEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise or NHO [Tore ULSTEIN, Kristin SKOGEN LUND] Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions or LO [Hans-Christian GABRIELSEN] environmental groups; media; digital privacy movements

other

environmental groups; media; digital privacy movements

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish

Budget

$200.6 billion $189.4 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$189.4 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$200.6 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.25% (31 December 2010) 1.75% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

1.5% (31 December 2016 est.) 1.75% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$18.43 billion (2016 est.) $33.75 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$642.3 billion (31 March 2016 est.) $640.1 billion (31 March 2015 est.) Norway is a net external creditor

note

Norway is a net external creditor

Distribution of family income - Gini index

26.8 (2010) 25.8 (1995)

Economy - overview

Norway has a stable economy with a vibrant private sector, a large state sector, and an extensive social safety net. Norway opted out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it contributes sizably to the EU budget. The country is richly endowed with natural resources in addition to oil and gas, including hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals. Norway is a leading producer and the world’s second largest exporter of seafood, after China. The government manages the country’s petroleum resources through extensive regulation. The petroleum sector provides about 9% of jobs, 12% of GDP, 13% of the state’s revenue, and 37% of exports, according to official national estimates. Norway is one of the world's leading petroleum exporters, though oil production in 2016 was close to 50% below its peak in 2000; annual gas production, conversely, more than doubled over the same time period. After a continual decline from 2001 to 2013, oil production rose in 2016 for the third year running, due to the higher production of existing oil fields and to new fields coming on stream. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves state revenue from petroleum sector activities in the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at almost $900 billion as of early 2017. To help balance the federal budget each year, the government follows a “fiscal rule,” which states that spending of revenues from petroleum and fund investments shall correspond to the expected real rate of return on the fund, an amount it estimates is sustainable over time. In February 2017, the government revised the expected rate of return for the fund downward from 4% to 3%. After solid GDP growth in the 2004-07 period, the economy slowed in 2008, and contracted in 2009, before returning to modest, positive growth from 2010 to 2016. Lower oil prices in 2015 and 2016 caused growth to slow, increased unemployment, and weakened the Norwegian krone. The latter trend has mitigated the negative impact of lower oil and gas prices by making Norwegian exports cheaper for foreign buyers. The government has expressed willingness to increase public spending from the sovereign wealth fund to help prevent a recession.

Exchange rates

Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 8.3978 (2016 est.) 8.3978 (2015 est.) 8.0646 (2014 est.) 6.3021 (2013 est.) 5.82 (2012 est.)

Exports

$88.88 billion (2016 est.) $103.4 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish

Exports - partners

UK 21%, Germany 14.4%, Netherlands 10.7%, France 6.9%, Sweden 6.5%, Belgium 4.4%, US 4.3%, Denmark 4% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

45.2% 24.5% 24% 5.3% 34% -33% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

34%

government consumption

24.5%

household consumption

45.2%

imports of goods and services

-33% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

24%

investment in inventories

5.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.5% 31.7% 65.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.5%

industry

31.7%

services

65.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$69,400 (2016 est.) $69,300 (2015 est.) $68,800 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.1% (2016 est.) 1.6% (2015 est.) 1.9% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$370.6 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$364.5 billion (2016 est.) $356.1 billion (2015 est.) $346.7 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

34.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 36.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 39.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.8% 21.2% (2014)

highest 10%

21.2% (2014)

lowest 10%

3.8%

Imports

$73.62 billion (2016 est.) $75.41 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Germany 12.2%, Sweden 12.2%, China 11.2%, US 6.6%, Denmark 5.7%, UK 5.2%, Netherlands 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

0.4% (2016 est.)

Industries

petroleum and gas, shipping, fishing, aquaculture, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.6% (2016 est.) 2.2% (2015 est.)

Labor force

2.78 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2.1% 19.3% 78.6% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.1%

industry

19.3%

services

78.6% (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$193.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $219.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $265.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

35.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 32% of GDP (2015 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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

note

data cover general government debt, and includes 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$60.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $57.46 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$323.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $310 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$191.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $203 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$219.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $210.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$571.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $527.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$214 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $199.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

54.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.7% (2016 est.) 4.4% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

53.9 million Mt (2015 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1.395 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

10,630 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

1.648 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

6.611 billion bbl (1 January 2017)

Electricity - consumption

133.1 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

15.53 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

4.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

88.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

5.7 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

33.85 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

149.5 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

5.23 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

112 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

117.2 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.856 trillion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

227,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

353,100 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

124,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

282,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned public radio-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 roughly another 25 local TV stations broadcasting; nearly 75% of households have access to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; 2 privately owned radio stations broadcast nationwide and another 240 stations operate locally; Norway is the first country in the world to phase out FM radio in favor of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), a process scheduled for completion in late 2017 (2017)

Internet country code

.no

Internet users

5,122,904 97.3% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

97.3% (July 2016 est.)

total

5,122,904

Telephone system

modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe Norway has a domestic satellite system; the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of mobile-cellular systems country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (2016)

domestic

Norway has a domestic satellite system; the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of mobile-cellular systems

general assessment

modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe

international

country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

863,855 16 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

863,855

Telephones - mobile cellular

5,718,740 109 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

109 (July 2016 est.)

total

5,718,740

Airports

95 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

21 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

10

2,438 to 3,047 m

14

914 to 1,523 m

22

total

67

under 914 m

21 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

22 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

28

under 914 m

22 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

LN (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

1,585 bulk carrier 99, general cargo 240, oil tanker 80, other 1,166 (2017)

by type

bulk carrier 99, general cargo 240, oil tanker 80, other 1,166 (2017)

total

1,585

National air transport system

12,277,220 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

12,277,220

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

106

number of registered air carriers

3

Pipelines

gas 8,520 km; oil/condensate 1,304 km (2017)

Ports and terminals

Bergen, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Sture Kamoy, Kollsnes, Melkoya Island Fredrikstad, Mosjoen

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Kamoy, Kollsnes, Melkoya Island

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Fredrikstad, Mosjoen

major seaport(s)

Bergen, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Sture

Railways

4,250 km 4,250 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

4,250 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2014)

total

4,250 km

Roadways

93,870 km (includes 393 km of expressways) 75,754 km 18,116 km (2013)

paved

75,754 km

total

93,870 km (includes 393 km of expressways)

unpaved

18,116 km (2013)

Waterways

1,577 km (2010)

Military branches

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) (2017)

Military expenditures

1.62% of GDP (2016) 1.5% of GDP (2015) 1.47% of GDP (2014) 1.41% of GDP (2013) 1.4% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

19-35 years of age for male and female compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 19-month service obligation (2017)

Disputes - international

Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission; Norway and Russia signed a comprehensive maritime boundary agreement in 2010

Refugees and internally displaced persons

15,062 (Eritrea); 11,537 (Syria); 8,379 (Somalia); 6,568 (Afghanistan) (2016) 3,251 (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

15,062 (Eritrea); 11,537 (Syria); 8,379 (Somalia); 6,568 (Afghanistan) (2016)

stateless persons

3,251 (2016)