Trondheim, 2010. The young Norwegian scientist e-mails her research report to the chief of her biotech lab. Then she logs off and heads home with a grin: Tomorrow is the first day of her maternity leave! Walking along Trondheim's streets, she glances fondly at its small shops and old churches, at the cruise ship in the fijord.... Soon, she thinks, I'll help my child discover this lovely city.

In Norway, she will have time to do so. Expectant mothers who have been employed for at least 6 out of the previous 10 months are allowed a fully-paid, 46-week maternity leave, beginning 3 weeks before the birth. And, once the barn (child) is six weeks old, its parents can switch roles — with far taking the rest of the paid leave of absence, and mor returning to work. In either case, the stay-at-home's re-employment is guaranteed.

People priorities. This popular program has two goals: (1) to promote gender equality in the workplace and (2) to encourage close family bonds during a child's first year of life. But paid parental leave is not the only benefit that Norwegians enjoy. Under a national insurance system, they can also count on financial support during stressful events — for example: unemployment, sickness, a workplace injury, old-age retirement, etc. The huge cost of these benefits is shared by all: Workers and employers pay into the plan, and the government contributes some of its tax revenues. The Storting (Norway's parliament) is committed to trimming welfare's costs. For example, it promotes job re-training — to reduce dependence upon unemployment benefits. Still, an "equitable distribution" of wealth remains a basic feature of Norwegian policymaking.

Today's boon. Today's economy supports that policy. With a gross domestic product (GDP) of $273.1 billion (2009), Norway's 4.7 million people enjoy one of the world's wealthiest economies. Their nation's net external debt is zero! Inflation is minimal. And in 2009, unemployment was at a low 3.2 percent. So there's still a good tax base for Norway's welfare programs. Yet the nation's leaders are concerned: Norway's key exports include non-renewable resources — metals and petroleum. In fact, almost 70 percent of its $174-billion export earnings in 2008 came from sales of crude oil and natural gas. Trouble is: Both resources will probably be used up in a century or so.

Safety nest. That probability influences decisions in Oslo, Norway's capital. As a democracy, Norway supports free-market competition. Indeed, most of its industries (shipping, for example) are privately owned. Yet it also retains elements of a mixed economy. And petroleum is one reason why. Arguing that the oil and gas belong to all Norwegians collectively, the government controls how the two resources are explored, developed, and sold. In fact, Norway uses its oil income to prepare for the day when those resources dry up. Thus, the government protects the nation's older farm and fish industries. It fosters new financial and high-tech industries. And, by investing oil and gas profits wisely, it has saved over $430 billion — a nest-egg for tomorrow's barn!

Ask Now... The UN's 2009 Human Development Report ranked Norway first among 182 nations for the quality of opportunities available to all its people. The Report (which measures such things as access to healthcare and education, and to a decent standard of living) doesn't surprise those who have visited Norway. But for Norwegians, such praise doesn't solve the big questions they still face: With a growing number of retirees, will Norway be able to continue its present system of welfare benefits? Would it be able to do so under the impact of global warming and the gradual loss of critical resources? Be sure of this: Norwegians will explore every option! To stay informed, check the home page of The Norway Post (www.norwaypost.no) for issues and events in that country's news.

© Learning Enrichment, Inc. Content last updated: May 2010. Page last reviewed: May 2010.