Norway - 97.43
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The benchmark
Norway is uniquely poised to handle the future, mainly as a result of good economic management by the government and the nation’s sovereign wealth fund. The country is unique among petroleum-exporting countries in that it has a definitive plan to wean off the oil industry which it currently depends on. Norway has few issues other than its continued refusal to criminalize whaling for non-indigenous groups, despite outcry from foreign countries. The government has consistely prioritized the well-being of its people, and this is reflected in its score.
Human Rights - 100
Norway has fully abolished the death penalty and guarantees full LGBT rights. Abortion is legal to 12 weeks, with parental authorization required when applicable. No other human rights issues were noted.
Democracy - 94
Norway is a constitutional monarchy, limiting their score to 95. The King is largely ceremonial and holds few real executive powers. The Prime Minister is formally appointed by the King and approved by the Storting, but functionally the Prime Minster is both appointed and approved by the Storting. The Prime Minister holds most executive power and serves as head of government. The Storting is directly elected. Elections are free and fair with a strong multi-party system.
Freedom - 93
Norwegian hate speech laws rest in a legal limbo, resulting in them going largely unenforced as courts grapple with their constitutionality. Burqas are banned in public schools and universities but attempts to place other restrictions on religious garb have been blocked. Norway is currently set to abolish criminal liability for the recreational use of drugs - repealing laws that have gone largely unenforced for small amounts of drugs for years. Norway shall issue gun ownership permits for bolt-action rifles, shotguns, and revolvers while semi- and fully-automatic rifles are legal with hunting and sport shooting licenses. These licenses require a stringent mental health check to obtain but the process is not needlessly difficult.
Economy - 100
0.3% of Norwegians live below the international poverty line, while 4.3% live below the national poverty line (less than 60% of the annual median disposable equivalized household income). Norway’s unemployment rate sits at 4.62%. The country has extremely low economic disparity. Norway’s universal healthcare system is world-class, offering consistently high-quality healthcare throughout the country. Norway’s economy shrunk 0.8% in 2020 and grew 0.9% in 2019.
Health - 100
Norway’s life expectancy is 83 years and their infant mortality rate sits at just 0.17%. Norway’s obesity rate is 23%, contrasted with a malnourishment rate of 0.25%. Norway’s world-class universal healthcare system offers high-quality free care throughout the country. All Norwegians have access to clean, running water. NO other health issues were noted.
Corruption - 100
No major issues were noted
Competency - 100
No major issues were noted
Future - 100
Norway’s future is effectively ensured as a result of their sovereign wealth fund. The fund will be activated in the case of the collapse of Norway’s oil industry, in which case every citizen can be paid for several years. The fund is also being used to help wean the country off the oil industry. Norway’s economic growth has been slow but steady with a minor interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Actions Abroad - 87
Norway has repeatedly refused to outlaw whaling for non-indigenous groups, despite outcry by other nations and environmental groups. Norway is a NATO member state, and despite not being in the EU, Norway maintains good relations with its members. Despite only recognizing Israel, Norway maintains better relations with Palestine than other European nations. Norway is generally isolationist and maintains good relations with most nations.