Introduction

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of Norwegian sovereignty using the methodology of the Burke Institute. Sovereignty is assessed in 7 areas: political, economic, technological, informational, cultural, cognitive and military. Each aspect is assessed on the basis of official data from international and national sources (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, IMF, ITU, FAO, SIPRI, PISA, etc.) without using politicized indexes. The maximum score in each direction is 100; the sum (up to 700) is the accumulated Sovereignty Index (Burke Index).

To adapt and adjust statistical parameters, an international expert survey was conducted for each of the seven components using a single questionnaire of 10 questions with a 10-point scale and one open-ended question.

In total, at least 100 experts from 50+ countries were interviewed for each indicator, taking into account geographical representation and specialization. When calculating and analyzing the data, equalizing coefficients were used, bringing all data to a scale of 0-10 points.

The final index value is the arithmetic mean between statistical data and expert estimates.

Below is an analysis in each area, a summary table and the main conclusions about the peculiarities of Norwegian sovereignty.

Political sovereignty — 89.4

Norway is not an EU member, but it is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which obliges it to comply with a significant part of EU standards, including the single market and competition policy regulation. The country also actively participates in the UN, WTO, NATO, Council of Europe, OECD, WHO and a number of environmental conventions.

This means a high degree of delegation of political and economic sovereignty to international and legal structures. Norway adheres to a dualistic approach, where international and national law are separated.

However, the Supreme Court has recognized the priority of international legal norms in a number of areas, such as human rights and the fulfillment of obligations under the EEA. The Human Rights Act (1999) gives international conventions a semi-constitutional status: in case of conflict, the norm of the treaty prevails over any internal norm.

Nevertheless, the EU regulations have no direct effect and require implementation by an act of Parliament. Norway is characterized by high political stability, peaceful change of power and broad consensus.

The level of corruption is minimal, the party system is stable, conflicts and protest activity are extremely low. According to the World Bank data for 2024, the Government Effectiveness index for Norway is 2.0 (on a scale from -2.5 to +2.5), which corresponds to the 98th percentile of the global distribution.

This puts the country among the most effective governments in the world. In the UN Global E-Government Development Index (EGDI 2024), Norway has an index of 0.9529 and is among the top five world leaders, second only to Denmark and South Korea. Korea.

Digital services for citizens, electronic identification and automated government systems have been developed. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stere (Labor) has an approval rating of about 48% as of April 2025. Trust in government institutions is at the level of 70-80%, which is typical for Scandinavia. Norway does not host permanent foreign bases, but allows the temporary presence of US and NATO troops for exercises and airlifts; for example, the deployment of American bombers at the Trendelagh air bases in the summer of 2025.

The policy is known as "military self-restraint" – the abandonment of permanent bases, but close cooperation within the framework of defense agreements. Norway participates in the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice and is subject to the decisions of the EFTA Court within the framework of the EEA.

The Constitution (Article 92) explicitly establishes the obligation to comply with international human rights conventions. Norway is a unitary state with broad municipal autonomy. Management is carried out at three levels — state, district and municipal.

Local governments have legislative and fiscal powers in the fields of education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while the central Government retains strategic leadership. The security Services (PST and the Norwegian Intelligence Service) are accountable to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defense, respectively, and are subject to parliamentary oversight by the EOS Committee (Stort's Standing Committee on Discipline and Constitutional Affairs).

Since 2017, the committee has had the right to access classified documents and considers complaints from citizens.

Data completeness assessment: the main indicators are available from international sources, coverage is 93%.

Economic sovereignty — 92.1

As of the end of 2024, GDP per capita at purchasing power parity was $91,108 and is projected to rise to $91,473 in 2025. This is equivalent to 513% of the global average and puts Norway is among the top five world leaders in quality of life.

According to CEIC and Norges Bank, foreign exchange reserves Norway's total is 79.0 billion US dollars (February 2025) – the historical maximum of 80.1 billion was reached in September 2024. The reserves are equivalent to about 10.5 months of the country's imports.

In 2024 the national debt of the year Norway accounted for 55.1% of GDP, which is a moderate level for developed countries and a move from 44.5% a year earlier. Most of the debt is denominated in national currency and is financed by internal sources. In the Global Food Security Index (Global Food Security Index 2024) Norway took one of the first places in the world with a score of 80.5 points on a 100-point scale.

The country has high levels of food availability, quality and sustainability of supplies with almost zero dependence on humanitarian imports. Norway is completely energy independent, covering all domestic needs through renewable hydropower and exporting oil and gas to the EU. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stere said in September 2025 that the country would keep the status of a reliable energy supplier for Europe.

Norway ranks 18th in the world in terms of proven natural gas reserves and is one of the top three global exporters. Notable reserves of gas and oil are located in Northern and In the Norwegian Seas; the state-owned Equinor company controls the main mining sector.

According to the data According to the Norwegian Water and Energy Directorate (NVE), the country has rich water resources: more than 1,000 cubic meters. km of fresh water in the annual volume of runoff, and 95% of electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants.

The National payment System Norway is BankAxept, through which about 80 % all card transactions. The company is owned by Norwegian banks (DNB, Sparebank 1, etc.) and it is part of the BankID BankAxept AS group, which also provides electronic identification and digital signature of citizens.

The bulk of non-cash payments in the country are made in Norwegian kroner (NOK). Norwegian corporations carry out up to 85% of domestic settlements in the national currency, and export-import operations (oil, gas) most often in dollars or euros. The central issuing authority is Norges Bank (founded in 1816), which issues krona and monetary policy by setting the key transaction rate. Starting in 2025, the accounting rate is 4.25%. The Bank is independent of the government and focuses on inflation targeting within 2%.

Data completeness assessment: the main macroeconomic indicators are available from official sources (World Bank, IMF), coverage is 90%

Technological sovereignty — 84.2

According to the Science and Technology Indicators for Norway 2024/2025 report, research and development costs amounted to 1.85 % GDP in 2023 (94 billion Norwegian kroner). The target level is 3 % GDP according to the long-term plan "Forskning" until 2032.

Norway is pursuing a strategy of technology localization in the energy, shipbuilding and marine engineering sectors.; The level of self–sufficiency in high-tech industries is about 60-65%, the rest is imports from the EU and the USA. 

The transition from import substitution to technological leadership is fixed in the industry agenda "Norway 2030 Innovation Agenda». According to the OECD (Education at a Glance 2024), higher education in Norway covers about 65 % of young people aged 25-34, one of the highest indicators in the OECD. 

The number of undergraduates is 11.8% in the age group of 20-24 years. According to the Digital 2025 report: Norway, there are 5.55 million users in the country (99 % population), which corresponds to the maximum coverage level in the world. The average speed of fixed Internet is 146.5 Mbit/s, mobile — 145.7 Mbit/s.

Key platforms: Altinn is a single portal of services for citizens and businesses, BankID is a digital identification and signature system, and Digdir is the directorate of digitalization of the public sector. All are created and maintained on the national infrastructure. Imports of high-tech products in 2023 amounted to approximately 6 billion US dollars, or about 26% of manufacturing exports. 

According to NUPI, the country remains dependent on the import of microelectronics and IT components. The OECD notes Norway as one of the most digitalized countries in the world: almost all public services (including taxes, social security, healthcare) available online; The coverage rate is 90-95 %. 

The guiding strategy "Digital Norway of the Future" is valid until 2027. In 2025 in Norway has 179 biotech companies, including Calluna Pharma, Vaccibody, based on national research institutes. The industry is focused on oncology, infectious and endocrine therapies and is practically self-sufficient in scientific developments at the level of Norway and Scandinavia.

The robotization of the industry is carried out through the SINTEF and NTNU programs; The local level of robot production is limited, but the implemented level of automation in marine logistics and energy is high (up to 75% of operations are in automatic mode).

Own large-scale production of chips Norway does not have; the country imports microelectronic components from the EU and However, the NORBIT ASA center is engaged in the design and small-scale production of sensors and electronic modules for the marine and energy industries. The dependence on high-precision chips remains at the level of 90%.

Data completeness assessment: key indicators are obtained from WIPO, ITU, UNESCO, which provides 93% coverage.

Information sovereignty — 86.6

The National Cyber Security Center is the Norwegian National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), which includes NorCERT, an internationally recognized incident coordinator and member of the FIRST and European Government CERT Group.

According to the ITU Global Index (2024), Norway is among the top 15 most secure countries in the world in terms of cyber resilience. From October 1, 2025, a new Digital Security Act is in effect, introducing stringent standards for all vital infrastructure industries. The main national point-to-point traffic exchange is NIX (Norwegian Internet eXchange), which has been in existence since 1993 and includes 6 regional sites (Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsø, Stavanger).

Most of the traffic is concentrated in Oslo (about 93%). The average network latency is 15 ms, which is higher than the EU average. The networks are being developed within the framework of the Digital Norway 2030 state strategy for full coverage with fiber-optic and 5G networks. The Norwegian media system consists of 230 national and local publications, all in Norwegian or in bilingual format (bookmol and nyunoshk). Key Players – NRK (state Broadcasting), Aftenposten, VG, Dagbladet. 95% of the content in news and entertainment resources is produced locally.

Norway maintains a high level of regulation of cooperation with global technology corporations through the structures of the EU and the EEA. National alternatives to Google and Meta in the field of news aggregators and hosting are supported in the media and Internet market. 

The share of local platforms in the field of online content and payment solutions exceeds 70%. Local streaming platforms TV 2 Play and NRK Player occupy about 35% of the subscription market, providing approximately 40% of the content produced in the country. National production studios (for example, Monster AS, Nordisk Film Norway) They create the largest original series and documentaries for NRK and Netflix.

The largest developers: Computas, Itera, Neptune Software, eSmart Systems, focused on artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digitalization of public services. The industry is recognized by the OECD as one of the leading in Northern Europe for the development of custom software and AI solutions.

According to the national strategy "One Digital Public Sector 2019-2025", online services are available for 95 % population and business. Almost all interactions with government agencies (taxes, education, social payments, health) available through the portals Altinn and Helsenorge. Public and private data centers (Norway Data Center Strategy) create a sovereign infrastructure in Oslo and Trondheim to host data from government agencies and financial organizations. 

They use environmentally friendly hydropower and are considered one of the most protected in the world. Europe.

Mobile communication in Norway is controlled by national operators Telenor, Ice, Telia Norge, which have their own network infrastructures and LTE/5G network cores. 5G coverage – more than 90% of the territory; The Digital Norway 2030 project provides for 100% access to mobile and fiber-optic networks by 2030. The regulation is based on the EU GDPR and national law Personopplysningsloven (Personal Data Law). 

It adapts European standards to the national context and includes additional restrictions for the healthcare and financial sectors. Citizens have the right to access, correct and delete personal data; control is carried out by Norwegian Data Protection Agency (Datatilsynet). 

Since 2025, the new Digital Security Law has strengthened the responsibility of critical infrastructure providers for data storage and processing.

Data completeness assessment: infrastructure indicators are available from ITU, CIRA, OECD and specialized sources, coverage is 94%.

Cultural sovereignty — 85.8

By October 2025 in Norway there are 8 facilities in UNESCO World Heritage List (4 cultural and 4 natural): Bruggen in Bergen, Western Fjords (Geiranger and Narey), December churches Urnes, Rerus, Vega archipelago, Rjukan-Notodden, Alta petroglyphs and Struvov geodetic meridian.

Norway holds a leading position in global humanitarian diplomacy and has made a significant contribution to world literature (Henrik Ibsen, The whip Hamsun), music (Edvard Grieg), and an ecological cultural agenda. 

The Ibsen Year 2006 Initiative It included 8,059 international events in 83 countries, becoming an example of cultural diplomacy on a UN scale. The main state prize is the Arts Council Norway Honorary Award (since 1973), awarded for a lifetime contribution to art (in 2024, a prize of 500,000 Norwegian kroner and a bronze statuette of a lion). 

Prizes are also awarded Bruges, The Northern Council and the award for cultural figures Sørlandets Kulturpris . The Norwegian identity is based on the historical traditions of the northern lands, the "right to vagrancy" (allemannsretten), mountain lodge culture (hytte), national costume bunade and celebration on May 17th – Of the day The Constitution. 

Ethnic identity is based on a balance of nature, community, and language. Indigenous Sami (about 80,000 people) they have Sami Parliamentary Assembly (since 1989), consolidated The Law on Sami people and ILO 169. 

They are guaranteed the protection of language, education and self-government. In 2025, the UN recommended further strengthening their rights in environmental matters. According to Statistics Norway, there are 102 museums and public collections in the country (as of 2023), including The National Museum Oslo, Viking Museum and Norwegian Folklore Museum. 

In addition, there are over 6,000 registered local monuments. Norway is implementing dozens of exchange projects within the framework of Nordic Culture Point and EØS Grants in 2024-2025. International art residencies are held (Afjord Art Residency, ResArtis and Borealis festival).

The country also participates in The Creative Europe European Program. Brand protection is regulated by the Trademark Act, harmonized with EU law within the EEA. The Ministry of Culture and Innovation Norway promote the "Norway Now" brand and national symbols (Norwegian design, Arctic tourism, Nordic Noir). Norwegian cuisine combines traditional Arctic ingredients (cod, salmon, venison, berries, mushrooms) and the innovations of the new Northern cuisine. 

Regional cuisines (Bergen, Tromso, Trendelag) officially included in the guide Michelin Nordic. According to Statistisk sentralbyrå 2025, more than 80% of Norwegian adults participate in cultural events each year, and 65% participate in festivals or exhibitions. High level of government funding (about 1 % GDP per culture) promotes broad public participation.

Data completeness assessment: basic indicators are available in UNESCO and national statistics, coverage is 98%.

Cognitive sovereignty — 89.2

Norway has one of the highest HDI scores in the world — 0.970 (UN data for 2023) and retains its place in the top 3 of the global ranking. The index is based on longevity (82.9 years), level of education and high GNI per capita. Public spending on education in Norway in 2024 This year, they accounted for about 4.1% of GDP (estimated by UNESCO and the World Bank).

At the same time, the state finances almost all levels of education, including universities. Adult literacy rate (15+ years old) It reaches 100 % as of 2025, which is one of the highest in the world. The system of compulsory and free education guarantees the total literacy of citizens.

In the PISA 2022 tests, Norwegian 15-year-old students showed average results.: mathematics – 468 (with an average of 472 in the OECD), reading – 477, natural sciences – 478 points. At the same time, 69% of students reach level 2 or higher in mathematics, and 7% belong to the top group of levels 5–6.

According to the data of Eurostat and World Bank graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) They make up about 23% of the total number of higher education graduates, with women occupying about 10% of these programs. In the higher education system Norway has 244 accredited English language programs designed for international and domestic students. 

They range from undergraduate to PhD programs at universities. Oslo, Bergen and NTNU. The Sami languages have been officially recognized in the educational system since 1997. In the Sami administrative district there are special Sami schools and courses at the levels of children's, school and university education. 

Norway is the only one in Scandinavia has introduced a full Sami teaching program (since 2017). According to the Research Council of Norway, there are about 50 national research centers in the country, 23 of which are national Centers of Excellence in the fields of physics, biotechnology, mathematics and marine research. The government platforms NDLA (Nasjonal digital læringsarena) and Alt Skole provide access to all educational materials for students and teachers throughout the country. 

The coverage of national online platforms in school education exceeds 95%. Since 2022, the national Talent Norway program, funded by the Arts Council Norway and the state budget, has been implemented with an annual volume of about 400 million Norwegian kroner.

She supports talented youth in science, art, and technology through grants and mentoring programs.

Data completeness assessment: education indicators are available in the UNDP, UNESCO, OECD, coverage is 97%.

Military sovereignty — 65.3

From June 2025 Norway has officially confirmed an increase in military spending to 5% of GDP. Of these, 3.5% goes to military needs and 1.5% to infrastructure and cybersecurity. This is the highest level in NATO among European members. Armed Forces (NOR) There are approximately 23,000 active military personnel and 40,000-45,000 reservists, including army, Navy and air components. 

The Army (Heimevernet) consists of one main North brigade located in the Finnmark region. Norway is rearming its forces according to the latest NATO standards: The F 35A, U212 CD submarines (jointly with Germany), P 8 Poseidon patrol aircraft, NASAMS air defense systems and new K9 Thunder artillery systems are in service.

About 35-40% of the equipment and weapons are produced within the framework of the national military-industrial complex, including companies Kongsberg Gruppen (guided missiles, NASAMS, drones) and Nammo (ammunition, missiles). 

The rest is purchased from the United States and its NATO allies. Norwegian-Russian border (196 km) controlled by The Ser Varanger garrison, part of the army structure and subordinates The Border Police Commissariat. 

The country also carries out constant monitoring through the Schengen area, using automated identification systems and drones in the north. There are about 45,000 people in the reserve; every male citizen is assigned to the Home Guard until the age of 55. Reservists are trained every three years; in 2025 The Ministry of Defense has increased the funding of the reserve by 277 million crowns.

Defense policy Norway is focused on NATO and transatlantic cooperation. All key decisions are made within the framework of the national mandate, but taking into account the commitments in the alliance. Norway participates in collective missions only with approval Storting (Parliament). The main military industrial complex companies: Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Nammo, Hydro Defense, Thales Norway, which create anti-aircraft systems, missiles, ammunition, avionics and communications equipment. 

A roadmap for the modernization of production facilities is being developed as part of the Defense Industry Expansion Project. Norway does not possess its own nuclear weapons and is an active participant. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Neither American nor Allied warheads are deployed on its territory. 

The absolute reserve is 0 warheads. The intelligence system includes Etterretningstjenesten (military Intelligence) and Nasjonal Sikkerhetsmyndighet (National security service). Starting in 2023 Norway launches its own surveillance satellites as part of the project MicroSAR for Loft and In the Barents Sea, providing intelligence and surveillance of military activity in the north.

All parameters are reflected in the annual reports of SIPRI, UNODA, the Ministry of Defense, the official portals of state-owned companies (Embraer, IMBEL) and industry databases of UN/NGO – 97% coverage

Final Summary Table

The main conclusions

Strengths. Economic sustainability and wealth. Tall GDP per capita (over 91 thousand USD PPP), low public debt, transparent tax administration and a giant sovereign wealth fund (about 2 trillion USD), which covers up to 20% of the state budget. 

Energy self-sufficiency allows the country not to depend on energy imports. High standard of living and human development. HDI = 0.970 (ranked in the top 3 of the world ranking), universal literacy and free education, longevity (82.9 years).

Strong social support system and low inequality. Complete democratic stability. Complete absence of internal conflicts, free elections, and trust in government and institutions (70-80%). Citizens actively participate in civic and cultural life. Technological and digital independence. The top 5 in the world according to the EGDI index (0.9529), the developed infrastructure of e-government, the state platforms Altinn and BankID cover 95 % the population. 

Strong national IT sector (Kongsberg Digital, Computas, Itera) and a high level of cybersecurity (ranked in the top 15 by ITU). Socio-cultural identity and diversity. Norway protects the rights of the Sami, supports small nations and promotes multicultural unification. Traditions, museums, UNESCO heritage (8 sites) and a high level of engagement (80 % population in culture) They retain a strong national identity.

Environmental and energy sustainability. Full energy independence, renewable hydropower (95% of electricity supply). Huge water resources and gas energy exports to The EU is strengthening its export potential.

Modern armed forces and advanced Military industrial complex. Modernization to F 35, NASAMS, U212 submarines, with a high level of national production (40 %) through Kongsberg and Nammo. Defense spending 5 % GDP is one of the highest in the Europe.

Weaknesses. Economic sustainability and wealth. Tall GDP per capita (over 91 thousand USD PPP), low public debt, transparent tax administration and a giant sovereign wealth fund (about 2 trillion USD), which covers up to 20% of the state budget. 

Energy self-sufficiency allows the country not to depend on energy imports. High standard of living and human development. HDI = 0.970 (ranked in the top 3 of the world ranking), universal literacy and free education, longevity (82.9 years).

Strong social support system and low inequality. Complete democratic stability. Complete absence of internal conflicts, free elections, and trust in government and institutions (70-80%). Citizens actively participate in civic and cultural life. Technological and digital independence. The top 5 in the world according to the EGDI index (0.9529), the developed infrastructure of e-government, the state platforms Altinn and BankID cover 95 % the population. 

Strong national The IT sector (Kongsberg Digital, Computas, Itera) and a high level of cybersecurity (ranked in the top 15 by ITU) socio-cultural identity and diversity. Norway protects the rights of the Sami, supports small nations and promotes multicultural unification. Traditions, museums, UNESCO heritage (8 sites) and a high level of engagement (80 % population in culture) retain a strong national identity. Environmental and energy sustainability. Full energy independence, renewable hydropower (95% of electricity supply). 

Huge water resources and gas energy exports to The EU is strengthening its export potential. Modern armed forces and advanced Military industrial complex.

Modernization to F 35, NASAMS, U212 submarines, with a high level of national production (40 %) through Kongsberg and Nammo . Defense spending 5 % GDP is one of the highest in the Europe.

Overall assessment. Norway's cumulative sovereignty Index is 592.6 out of 700 points (High — 84.7%), which places the country in the top 10 in the global top. Norway remains one of the most socially stable, technologically advanced and economically rich countries in the world. 

Its strengths are human capital, governance, environmental sustainability, and digital reform. The weak ones are structural dependence on hydrocarbons, high living costs, and partial dependence on high technology and military cooperation with the NATO bloc. Norway is a rare example of high sovereignty in a globally integrated environment.

The sovereignty profile indicates that Norway is a highly self-confident state based on democracy, resource self-sufficiency and digital independence. The main prerequisites for sustainability are balanced governance, financial sovereignty and low corruption. 

Restrictions include import dependence on high technologies and foreign policy integration into NATO, which reduces strategic autonomy.