How Norway Built an Economy That Puts People First

From Isabella Breda / Yes! Magazine: Despite a nationwide months-long coronavirus lockdown in Norway, the economy was able to remain stable due to a “decades-long effort to create an equitable economy” that helped the government to enact a package that provided businesses and self-employed individuals’ tax relief and deferrals. Although Norwegians pay roughly the same amount of taxes that Americans do, their taxes largely pay for social welfare programs which include unemployment benefits, retirement pay, and health care coverage. This “national ethos of economic equity” is what helped the country to navigate the pandemic.

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Issue Areas:

Democracy and Governance, Gender Rights, Inclusive Growth, Labor, Wellbeing Economics

Impact Areas:

Creating New Economic Paradigms, Equity, Health and Wellness, Policy and Legislation

Actors:

Government, Womxn, Workers / Labor Unions

Communities Served:

Womxn, Workers

Strategies:

Collective Action, Implementing Workplace Policies, Increase Education / Insights Sharing

Success Factors:

Eliminating Barriers, Empowering People, Expanding Access, Impact Measurement, Using A Comprehensive Approach, Using Creative Financing, Using Financial Incentives

Geographic Region:

Europe

Countries:

Norway

Date:

November 3, 2020

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