Factbook
History of Norway — Timeline
Key dates in the history of Norway, from the Magna Factbook and the Universal Encyclopedia.
1524872 (traditional unification of Norwegian kingdoms by HARALD Fairhair); 1397 (Kalmar Union of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden); 1524 (Denmark-Norway); 17 May 1814 (Norwegian constitution adopted); 4 November 1814 (Sweden-Norway union confirmed).
1814In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution.
1905Independence: 7 June 1905 (union with Sweden declared dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union); notable earlier dates: ca.
1905Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence.
1940Norway remained neutral in World War I and proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but Nazi Germany nonetheless occupied the country for five years (1940-45).
1949In 1949, Norway abandoned neutrality and became a member of NATO.
1972In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
2021Languages: Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Religions: Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 67.5%, Muslim 3.1%, Roman Catholic 3.1%, other Christian 3.8%, other 2.6%, unspecified 19.9% (2021 est.) Urban population: 84% of total population (2023).
2023Generation mix — fossil fuels: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); wind: 9.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); hydroelectricity: 89.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) Energy use: 206.961 million Btu/person (2023 est.).
2023Industries: petroleum and gas, shipping, fishing, aquaculture, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles Agriculture: milk, barley, potatoes, oats, wheat, pork, chicken, beef, eggs, carrots/turnips (2023) Electricity access: 100% (2022 est.).
2023Major urban areas: 1.086 million OSLO (capital) (2023) high-income, non-EU economy with trade links via European Economic Area (EEA); key role in European energy security as leader in oil, gas, and electricity exports; major fishing, forestry, and oil(?) extraction industries; oil sovereign fund supports generous welfare system; low unemployment; inflation moderating but remains above target level Inflation: 3.1% (2024 est.).
2025Military spending: 3.4% of GDP (2025 est.).
