People and Society of Norway

Nationality

Norwegian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Norwegian, Sami 20,000

Population

5,474,000

Population in Major Urban Areas

OSLO (capital) 915,000

Medical facilities are widely available and of high quality, but may be limited outside the larger urban areas. The remote and sparse populations in northern Norway and the dependency on ferries to cross fjords of western Norway may affect transportation and ready access to medical facilities. The U.S. Embassy in Oslo maintains a list of emergency medical and dental clinics in major cities.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Norway consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for life expectancy, reflecting the nation's strong healthcare infrastructure, high standard of living, and deeply embedded culture of wellness. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Norway is approximately 83 years, with women typically living to around 85 years and men to approximately 81 years. These figures place Norway well above the global average of roughly 73 years. Several interconnected factors contribute to Norway's exceptional longevity. The country operates a universal healthcare system funded through taxation, ensuring that all residents have access to medical care regardless of income. Preventive health services, routine screenings, and mental health support are integrated into the national health framework, helping to detect and manage illnesses early. Lifestyle factors also play a significant role. Norwegians tend to maintain active lifestyles, with outdoor recreation such as skiing, hiking, and cycling deeply embedded in the national culture. Dietary habits, while increasingly influenced by global trends, have traditionally emphasized fish, whole grains, and fresh produce — foods associated with cardiovascular health and longevity. Norway also benefits from extremely low rates of poverty, strong social safety nets, and some of the highest levels of gender equality in the world. Research consistently links these social determinants of health to longer, healthier lives. Air quality across most of Norway is excellent, and clean drinking water is universally accessible. Smoking rates in Norway have declined significantly over recent decades due to sustained public health campaigns, tobacco taxes, and indoor smoking bans — contributing to lower rates of lung cancer and chronic respiratory disease compared to many other nations. Infant mortality in Norway is among the lowest globally, recorded at fewer than 2 deaths per 1,000 live births, which positively impacts the overall life expectancy at birth calculation. The combination of advanced neonatal care, prenatal health programs, and broad access to maternal healthcare supports these outcomes. Norway's life expectancy figures have shown a steady upward trend over the past several decades and are projected to continue rising as medical technology advances and public health programs are refined.

Infant Mortality Rate

Norway maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's exceptional standards of healthcare, prenatal services, and overall quality of life. As of the most recent available data, Norway's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 2 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it consistently among the top-performing nations globally on this measure. This remarkably low figure is the result of decades of sustained investment in public health infrastructure. Norway operates a universal healthcare system that provides comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care to all residents regardless of socioeconomic status. Expectant mothers have access to regular midwife-led checkups, nutritional guidance, and hospital-based deliveries staffed by skilled medical professionals. Nearly all births in Norway take place in clinical settings equipped with modern neonatal care facilities, significantly reducing risks associated with complications during labor and delivery. Norway's strong social safety net also plays a critical role. Generous parental leave policies, child welfare programs, and low rates of poverty mean that infants are born into stable environments with consistent access to nutrition, warmth, and medical attention during their most vulnerable early months. Breastfeeding rates in Norway are among the highest in Europe, which contributes positively to infant health outcomes. The country's infant mortality rate has declined steadily over the past several decades. In the 1960s, the rate was above 16 deaths per 1,000 live births — a figure that has been reduced by more than 85 percent through advancements in medical technology, public health education, and systemic healthcare improvements. Regional disparities in infant mortality, which affect many other nations, are minimal in Norway due to the uniform distribution of healthcare services across both urban centers and more remote rural and Arctic communities. Government programs actively work to ensure that residents in sparsely populated northern regions receive the same standard of maternal and infant care as those in cities like Oslo and Bergen. Norway's performance in infant health is frequently highlighted in international comparisons as a model for what universal healthcare access and social investment can achieve.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Learning

All children in Norway must complete ten years of basic education in three stages: lower primary, upper primary and lower secondary. They study subjects such as religion, Norwegian and English, they can also study a third language. After lower secondary school, students may go on to upper secondary school. They can choose either general or vocational studies. General studies prepare students for higher learning at a university, Vocational studies help them learn skills that enable them to work. Admission to a university is based on performance in upper secondary school. Norway has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Schoolwork is not graded for primary school students. Students only start to receive grades when they go to secondary school.

• Evangelical Lutheran86.0%
• none and unknown10.0%
• other Protestant and Roman Catholic3.0%
• other1.0%

Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official)

• Norwegian

Crime Information

Norway has a relatively low level of crime in comparison to the United States and Western European countries with large populations. The most likely forms of crime, especially in the Oslo metropolitan area, include residential and office burglaries and petty thefts. In Oslo and the other major urban areas, crime has been centered in the inner city and high transit areas. As in any other location, especially in urban areas, you should exercise basic security awareness. Although rare, violent and weapons-related crimes are growing in frequency and receive intense media coverage. These crimes usually occur in areas known to have drug trafficking and gang problems, such as certain parts of eastern Oslo. Reports have shown an increase in rape in Norway, mainly in downtown Oslo, with areas such as Grünerlokka being an area of particular concern. You should be aware that instances of pick-pocketing and petty theft are common in major tourist areas, hotel lobbies, train and transit stations, and surrounding areas. The Oslo Central train station is an especially popular area for pick-pockets and bag snatchers. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Norway, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties will vary from country to country. This can be especially true in countries such as Norway which may seem similar to the United States, yet travelers may not be aware of subtle legal and cultural differences. Norwegian family law, for example, can be very different from that in the United States, so visitors and long-term residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this law to avoid potential problems. There are also some things that might be legal in Norway, but are illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods in Norway. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. While you are overseas, you may be subject to both U.S. and local laws. If you do something illegal in Norway, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not at your destination. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.