When it comes to quality of life, there are few countries that can supersede America in terms of luxury, comfort and overall well-being. Not even Canada or Britain exceeds the United States in quality of life. However, Norway, an oil-rich country situated in the Scandinavian Peninsula, undeniably outstrips the American standard of living.
The United States has a lower per capita GDP than Norway with a GDP of 51,749 compared to 99,558, respectively, and is also home to one of the most pressing income distribution gaps in any industrialized nation, surpassed in income inequality by only Russia and Mexico.
Due to America’s cavernous income inequality, the poorest 38% of Norwegians are better off than the poorest 38% of Americans despite an overall lower average per capita GDP. According to Syracuse University professor Timothy Smeeding, the United States relies heavily on the markets to an extent that social safety nets are neglected, unlike Norway, which focuses more resources on providing aid to the poor.
This is not to say that America completely disregards its poor. To clarify, the United States has initiated its portion of socially-oriented acts, such as its attempt to reform the welfare system during the past two decades.
However, while the number of individuals on welfare was reduced from 5 million to slightly over 2 million, the welfare poor were downgraded into the working poor. Although welfare reform was rooted in good intentions, the lack of government safety nets defeated the purpose of the entire act.
Although the discovery of oil on the land in 1969 had transformed Norway, more than just an abundance of the valued natural resource buttresses Norway’s economy. Norway’s success has been attributed to what many call the “Norwegian Model”– a model of running a welfare state in which resources are carefully monitored, preserved and kept up-to-date.
While the United States ranks among one of the wealthiest nations in the world, it has stayed remiss in establishing social safety nets, particularly for the less economically-advantaged subsection of the population. Due to the lack of social safety nets, America hosts one of the largest global income inequality gaps, and is ultimately surpassed by the tiny welfare state of Norway in terms of quality of life.
– Phoebe Pradhan
Sources: Infoplease, CS Monitor, World Bank, News in English
Photo: The Telegraph
FAQs
One of the key factors contributing to Norway's high standard of living is its strong economy. The country has a very high GDP per capita, which is one of the highest in the world. This means that the average Norwegian enjoys a high level of income, which in turn allows them to enjoy a high standard of living.
Is Norway more developed than USA? ›
The United States has a lower per capita GDP than Norway with a GDP of 51,749 compared to 99,558, respectively, and is also home to one of the most pressing income distribution gaps in any industrialized nation, surpassed in income inequality by only Russia and Mexico.
Why does Norway have such a high life expectancy? ›
Norway has a great life expectancy (82 years on average), thanks to the active Norwegian lifestyle, the diet that's full of Omega−3 fatty acids (all that salmon is definitely good for you) and of course, a robust healthcare system that's funded by the public.
Why is poverty so low in Norway? ›
The incidence of poverty is higher in populations from the Middle East and Africa. However, extreme poverty in Norway is almost non- existent. 74% of those in Norway aged between 15-64 have a job compared to the OECD average of 67% and this contributes to the low rates of poverty.
Does Norway have the best quality of life? ›
After Sweden, Norway ranked as the second best country in the world for quality of life, according to the U.S. News and World Report.
What US state does Norway compare to? ›
Norway might not be huge when you compare it to an entire continent, but it's definitely not small. Plus, it's got way more geographical challenges than your average US state. I meant population primarily. Norway is roughly the size of Montana with the population of Minnesota.
Why Norway is so wealthy? ›
The oil and gas industries play a dominant role in the Norwegian economy, providing a source of finance for the Norwegian welfare state through direct ownership of oil fields, dividends from its shares in Equinor, and licensure fees and taxes.
Does Norway have better healthcare than the US? ›
Generally, the healthcare system of Norway is way better than that of the US in providing quality healthcare services regarding quality, access, and equity.
What diseases are most common in Norway? ›
cancer are the main causes of death in Norway
This was followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke and lung cancer, each of which represented between 5.5 % and 5.7 % of total deaths. Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of death from cancer, followed by colorectal cancer.
Does Norway have free healthcare? ›
While public healthcare is available across Norway, it is only free for people 16 years and younger. It also free for pregnant and/or nursing women, regardless of coverage. Everyone else must pay an annual deductible equivalent to an average of 2,040 NOK (222 USD).
8. Comparison with other countries
| Country | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Compensation Costs (USD per hour) |
|---|
| Norway | 56,400 | Approximately 50 |
| Switzerland | 62,283 | 60 |
| United States | 53,490 | 36 |
| Germany | 49,677 | 40 |
3 more rowsThe national survey of homelessness in Norway1 revealed that there were 3,325 homeless people in 2020. Given that Norway's population is about 5,400,000 inhabitants, this is equivalent to 0.62 per 1,000 inhabitants. 1 Dyb, E.; Zeiner, H. H. (2021). Bostedsløse i Norge 2020 - en kartlegging.
What is the poorest city in Norway? ›
Gamvik is known as one of the poorest and most undeveloped municipalities in Norway. The number of inhabitants rose at one moment in 2012, but in 2014, after the fish factory closed, the population declined dramatically with the departure of the eastern European fishermen.
What is considered poor in Norway? ›
The poverty threshold for a single-person household was NOK 221 300 or about EUR 22 470 in 2017 (EU60). The share with persistent low income has also increased during the same period if the poverty threshold is set at 50 percent of the median income.
Why is Norway the happiest place to live? ›
“In Norway, we have a welfare system that takes care of us and saves us from a lot of worries. The inequality is low when it comes to the standard of living. We feel safe and free and have a strong sense of belonging”, she adds.
Why is Norway the healthiest country in the world? ›
All this on top of a clean environment and culture based around outdoor activities and fresh nutritious food, it's safe to say that Norway has very much earnt its status as one of the healthiest countries in the world.
Why is Norway so healthy? ›
The Importance Of Food and Nutrition
Another important factor for the good quality of life in Norway is the healthy and rich diet. Thanks to its abundance of coastline and fertile waters, Norway's diet is traditionally rich in seafood and salmon is still one of the most important export commodities of the country.
What makes Norway one of the happiest countries in the world? ›
The Nordic country and its neighbors Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway all score very well on the measures the report uses to explain its findings: healthy life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, low corruption, generosity in a community where people look after each other and freedom to make key life ...
