State of the Nordic Region 2020

The Nordic Council of Ministers has a vision to make the Nordic Region the world's most sustainable and integrated region by 2030. A closer look at the regional and local level reveals how the Nordic Region is developing and moving towards this target. This unique publication is a valuable tool in detecting and analysing the short-term and long-term changes within and between the countries: How are we realizing the vision? And what more should be done?

The State of the Nordic Region 2020 presents a series of facts and figures showing the current state of play within core socioeconomic sectors. This inlcludes three overall themes. Immerse yourself in the topics you find most interesting:

The total Nordic population has grown by 18% since 1990. But urbanisation, decreasing fertility rates and increasing life expectancy are changing the demographic make-up of Nordic regions and municipalities. These long-term trends are expected to shape the Nordic societies and test the Nordic welfare model in the years to come.

Employment rates has increased in all Nordic countries during the last two years. Full employment is one of the cornerstones of what is known as the Nordic model and, historically, the Nordic countries have enjoyed comparably high employment rates, particularly for women and older workers.

The Nordic countries have relatively small wage gaps, high employment and high taxation, combined with good quality education and social security, all of which contribute to relatively low income inequality, below the OECD average. However, as in most countries, the income gap is growing in the Nordic Region.

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State of the Nordic Region 2020 is produced by Nordregio and published by our parent organization, the Nordic Council of Ministers.