The standard of living in Norway is one of the highest in the world, so those wishing to immigrate to this country for temporary or permanent residence number in the tens of thousands. And many foreigners even dream of obtaining Norwegian citizenship.
Norway has a population of only 5.4 million. Norwegians are proud of the achievements of their small Kingdom and are very happy with life. This is partly confirmed by the fact that according to the official UN report of March 20 – World Happiness Report, which contains data on 156 states of the planet, Norway closes the five happiest countries in the world (in 2018 it occupied the first line).
Pros and cons of living in Norway
Life in Norway for Russians and other foreigners will allow them to ski for at least 6 months a year and daily admire one of the most beautiful countries in the world, which is home to magnificent fjords, forests, and lakes, as well as such a mesmerizing phenomenon as the Northern Lights. Of course, not everything in the Norwegian state is perfect. Let’s highlight the positive and negative aspects of living in Norway.
The pros of living in Norway
- Norway has a very comfortable climate, good ecology, and a lot of beautiful places for outdoor activities. By the way, a special law “allemannsrett” allows people to pitch their tents almost anywhere.
- A strong economy and transparent laws make it possible to effectively conduct business in Norway. In the annual Doing Business rating of ease of starting and doing business from 190 countries, the Kingdom of Norway is ranked 9th in the world and 2nd in Europe.
- In Norway, English is widely spoken, but for full communication and quick adaptation, you need to learn Norwegian.
- Unlike other Nordic countries – Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, not only citizens of the European Union and the EEA, but also students from anywhere in the world, including the CIS, can count on free higher education in Norway.
- The streets of Norway are very safe, with excellent infrastructure, quality medicine, and an effective social security system.
- Norwegian salaries are among the highest in the world, and the labor market is distinguished by a strong workforce and unconditional respect for workers‘ rights.
- Well-being and a high standard of living in Norway are supported not only by the oil, gas, and fishing industries but also by many other sectors of the economy, including information technology, finance, and innovation.
Cons of living in Norway
- Living in Norway is very expensive. For example, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Worldwide Cost of Living, which covers the 133 largest settlements on the planet, the Norwegian capital Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
- With rare exceptions, it is forbidden to hold dual citizenship in Norway.
- In some settlements, especially in the north of the country, it is very cold in winter. By the way, in Oslo, the temperature rarely drops below 10 degrees Celsius. Besides, many foreigners are annoyed by the high humidity, provoked by heavy rains. For example, in the city of Bergen.
- It is very difficult for foreigners to find a job in Norway or start their own business.
- Getting a driver’s license in Norway is quite expensive. If you fail to pass the exam the first time, then the process takes a lot of time and effort.
- Residents are very conservative and closed people. Especially about those who do not know.
- High taxes.