🇳🇴Norway Political Stability: 87/100

Norway scores 87 out of 100 on the Political Stability Index, rated "Very Stable" based on World Bank 2023 Worldwide Governance Indicators across six governance dimensions.

Very Stable
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Composite score is the unweighted average of six governance dimensions, each measured on a 0-100 percentile scale.

Norway is located in Northern Europe, occupying the western and northernmost part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It features a rugged coastline with numerous fjords and islands, and is bordered by Sweden, Finland, and Russia. The country has a diverse terrain dominated by mountains and high-altitude plateaus, with significant natural features shaped by glaciers. Norway experiences four distinct seasons, with milder coastal climates and colder inland areas, and is known for its dramatic landscapes and natural phenomena like the midnight sun and northern lights.

Norway has a population of approximately 5.4 million people, with a high standard of living and a strong emphasis on social welfare. The country is known for its progressive policies and high levels of gender equality. The official language is Norwegian, and the population is predominantly Christian, with a significant portion identifying as Lutheran.

Governance Indicators

Voice & Accountability96/100
Control of Corruption96/100
Rule of Law92/100
Government Effectiveness89/100
Regulatory Quality86/100
Political Stability62/100

Governance Profile: Norway

World Bank governance: rule of law 92nd percentile, corruption control 96th percentile, political stability 62nd percentile.

Norway's strongest governance dimension is Voice & Accountability at 96/100, placing it in the top quartile globally. This indicates relatively strong citizen participation in selecting government, along with freedom of expression, association, and a free media.

The weakest dimension is Political Stability at 62/100. Political instability concerns may affect the overall security environment and long-term predictability.

A notable 34-point gap between Voice & Accountability and Political Stability reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

For travelers, Norway's strong governance indicators translate to reliable public services, transparent regulations, and effective rule of law. Visitors can expect well-maintained infrastructure, responsive emergency services, and clear legal protections.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Norway as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.

EU Governance Comparison

Top governance performers in EU based on the corruption composite ranking (weighted: 60% corruption control, 25% rule of law, 15% government effectiveness).

CountryScore
🇩🇰Denmark96.6
🇫🇮Finland95.2
🇳🇴Norway93.9
🇨🇭Switzerland93.8
🇱🇺Luxembourg92.9

Common Questions About Norway's Political Stability

What is Norway's political stability score?+
Norway has a composite political stability score of 87 out of 100, placing it in the "Very Stable" category. This score is the average of six World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators for 2023: Voice & Accountability, Political Stability, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption.
What do the World Bank governance indicators measure?+
The six indicators come from the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) project. Each measures a different dimension of governance on a 0-100 percentile scale. Voice & Accountability captures perceptions of citizen participation and media freedom. Political Stability measures the likelihood of political instability or violence. Government Effectiveness assesses the quality of public services and policy implementation. Regulatory Quality evaluates the government's ability to formulate sound policies. Rule of Law captures confidence in contract enforcement, property rights, and courts. Control of Corruption measures the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain.
How does Norway's stability affect travel safety?+
Governance indicators provide context beyond traditional travel advisories. Norway's strongest area is Voice & Accountability (96/100) and its weakest is Political Stability (62/100). Strong governance generally correlates with reliable infrastructure, transparent regulations, and effective emergency services.
How does Norway compare to other countries in EU?+
Within EU, Norway ranks among 5 peer countries with available governance data. Its composite score of 87/100 places it in the lower half of the regional ranking.
When was this data last updated?+
The governance data on this page is from the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators 2023 dataset. The WGI project publishes annual updates covering over 200 countries. This page is refreshed every six hours to incorporate any new data from our sources.

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