Are you ready to learn the untold story of how a small fishing nation became one of the wealthiest countries in the world? Well, buckle up folks, because we're about to take a dive into the fascinating history of Norway.
First things first, when you think of Norway, you probably think of fjords, aurora lights, skiing, and outdoorsy people. But did you know that Norway also has some of the happiest people on the planet? That's right, according to the World Happiness Report, Norway ranks high on the list of happiest nations. But that's not all, Norway also boasts one of the highest life-expectancy-indexes at around 81 years old. Talk about living your best life!
But here's where it gets even more interesting. Norway tops many international rankings, including the human development index, prosperity index, ease of doing business index, freedom of press index, democracy index, and the list goes on. Some folks call it a "socialist heaven" while others call it "capitalism with a conscience." But regardless of what you call it, one thing is for sure: Norway is killing it on the global stage.
But how did this small fishing nation become so successful? Well, it all starts with a little thing called oil. Back in the 1950s, no one would have believed that the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) contained any "black gold." But that all changed in 1959 when gas was discovered in Groningen, Netherlands, leading to the belief that oil could also be explored for in the NCS. In 1962, a company named Phillips Petroleum applied for exploration in Norway's continental shelf, but the Norwegian government rejected the application in order to open up the resources to multiple firms.
In 1963, the Norwegian government went even further by claiming sovereignty in an area of the North Sea and started issuing licenses for oil exploration. The drilling licenses were given in 1965 after the matters of division of shelf with Norway and Great Britain were resolved. And while the first drilling in 1966 was fruitless, 200 more exploratory drills for the next few years showed no signs of oil, and the whole thing started to become hopeless. But in 1969, Philips Petroleum drilled in Ekofisk and hit the jackpot with one of the most lucrative oilfields that would change the fate of the whole country.
In 1972, the Norwegian government established a new company named Statoil, which declared that 50% of oil license money should be state-owned. More policies were introduced that gave Statoil more power and in 2001, the company was partially privatized and listed on the Oslo and New York Stock exchanges with the Norwegian government owning 81.7% of the shares. Today, the company is known as Equinor and the government is still the biggest shareholder.
Norway's exploitation of natural resources is the largest and most vital industry that has contributed somewhere between 40-70% of exports over the years. Without these natural resources, Norway would not be the country it is today. It's like Switzerland without its banks.
Now, imagine a person digging in their backyard and finding a box of treasure. Some gold and jewels or whatever. Norway is that person! But unlike most people who would waste the treasure on booze, parties, and shiny stuff, Norway decided to save and invest its newly-found treasure. In 1990, the Norwegian government created Oljefondet, also known as the Government Pension Fund Global or GPF-G, a fund into which the surplus money generated from the petroleum income is deposited and invested. This fund was created to tackle the fluctuating global oil prices and to counter the effects of the expected decline in income.
In conclusion, Norway's success story is not just about a lucky strike of oil, but rather a combination of smart policies, responsible management and a long-term vision. The Norwegian government's decision to open up the resources to multiple firms and to save and invest the surplus money generated from the petroleum income in a pension fund, has not only helped the country weather the ups and downs of the global oil market, but also ensured a better future for its citizens. Norway is a shining example of how a nation can use its natural resources for the betterment of its society, and it's a story worth telling. So the next time you're enjoying the beauty of Norway's fjords or skiing down its slopes, remember that the country's success is not just a product of its natural beauty, but also a result of its wise and responsible management of its resources.
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