The Kingdom of Norway is a constitutional monarchy and a unicameral parliamentary democracy. King Harald V is Head of State and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (DNA, Labour Party) presides over the government formed by the Cabinet.

The Parliament is unicameral and is elected every four years in free and fair elections held on the basis of universal suffrage, and it cannot be dissolved. In the elections of September 2009, 67 women were elected to Parliament, representing 39.6% of the total number of seats available (169). The Labour Party was re-elected with 35.4% of the votes. The second largest group in terms of votes was the right-wing Progress Party, with 22.9%. The turnout among the 3.5 million Norwegians entitled to vote was 73.8%.

The Judiciary is independent by law and in practice. It is reported that neither corruption nor impunity is a problem in this country.

The State church is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway, financed by the government. At least half of the Cabinet belong to this church. Religious communities have to register with the government if they want to receive financial support. All registered denominations receive subsidies proportional to the number of members that they have.

Norway is the world's third largest oil producer. The country is also rich in natural resources such as hydroelectric energy, gas, minerals, fish and forests. In 2006 it was the second largest world exporter of seawater fish after China. The country's economy also includes the food industry, shipbuilding, metalworking, mining, paper production and chemicals. In 2010, the Kingdom of Norway was classed as the country with the highest human development index by the UNDP (0.938) . Norway twice rejected membership of the European Union (EU) in referendums in 1972 and 1994, but is linked to the EU through the European Economic Area.

Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, disability, language or social status is prohibited, and the law is strictly enforced.

Access to information and freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed and respected.

Animal rights organisations have questioned Norway on its hunting of whales. In 2010, 100,000 people from different parts of the world signed a letter to the Prime Minister requesting that he put an end to this hunting. Some 5,000 Norwegian citizens have also expressed their concern to the government at the cruelty inherent in whale-hunting.

Norway is a destination and transit country for women trafficked from Eastern Europe and Russia. The victims can sue traffickers and anti-trafficking measures are in place through cooperation with other governments. Foreign victims of trafficking can apply for asylum and benefits.

All children have an equal right to education, regardless of social and cultural background, gender, geographical origin and special needs. Public education is free up to and including postsecondary level. Education is compulsory for 10 years, but most children stay in school beyond the age of 16 to complete secondary school at the age of 18. School attendance is 100%. Approximately 98.5% of children at primary school and 96% of secondary school pupils go to State schools. Primary education is completely free of charge in State establishments, as are most teaching materials. For other materials and transport costs and school dinners there are various subsidies depending on the municipality and the family's socioeconomic situation.

Mandatory courses at State schools include religious knowledge and education in ethics, which promote tolerance and respect for all religious beliefs. No pupils can be exempted from these classes, although they may be excused from specific religious ceremonies. Muslim communities and atheists have challenged the legality of these compulsory classes before the European Court of Human Rights. The UN Human Rights Council considered that this requirement violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, so the government has changed the legislation to emphasise that the purpose of the required courses is to educate, not to proselytise, and has introduced a new curriculum.

Pre-school and after-school childcare (SFO): in many families both parents work and therefore say that their children enjoy care and attention before and after compulsory school hours. The SFO establishment was created to cover this very need. It provides the necessary conditions for play, care and attention for children as well as an opportunity to take part in different cultural activities.

A three-year programme begins at the age of three. At this level, 40% of education is private. The net enrolment rate (NER) is 96%.

Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16. Primary education begins at the age of six and lasts for seven years. At this level, 2% of education is private. The NER is 99% (49% girls). Of the pupils who enroll for the first grade, 99% reach the last grade of primary school. There are 42,230 primary school teachers (73% women).The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 10:1.

Secondary education begins at the age of 13 and last for six years. 59% of secondary school pupils follow technical training courses. The NER is 95%. There are 44,231 secondary school teachers, 19,128 (73% women) in lower secondary and 25,103 (46% women) in upper secondary. The PTR is 9:1 in lower secondary and 8:1 in upper secondary.

212,382 students (61% females) study at tertiary establishments, with a gross enrolment rate of 74%. At this level, 15% of education is private. 11,060 foreign students are studying in Norway, mostly from North America and Western Europe (4,249), Central and Eastern Europe (1,634), Asia (1,122), Sub-Saharan Africa (738), Latin America and the Caribbean (249) and the Arab States (245). At the same time, there are 14,732 Norwegians studying abroad, particularly in the UK (3,653), Australia (3,227), Denmark (1,524), the US (1,471) and Sweden (1,406).

Integration of children with special needs into the education system is appropriately supported. Teaching is adapted to suit the abilities and aptitudes of individual pupils. Children not receiving ordinary tuition have the right to special education, which is planned in consultation with the pupil and the parents. Educational and psychological counselling services are provided. The specific needs of each pupil are assessed to determine the kind of tuition to be provided and a programme is then developed to meet these needs. Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited in education and other public services. Grants for the disabled have been increased.

The law provides for the granting of asylum and refugee status in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol of 1967, and the government has established a system to provide protection to refugees. The government cooperates with the UNHCR. Asylum-seekers receive information in their own language. Legal counsel is also provided if applications are refused. Education is provided to children of refugees, including language training.

The culture and traditions of the Sami community form part of the national curriculum and the special Sami curriculum. All pupils are provided with education on the Sami and Sami pupils study the Sami language and identity. State support is provided for the production of textbooks in the Sami language. A deputy minister is responsible for issues of concern to the Sami. Their rights are protected and radio and television programmes are broadcast or subtitled in Sami. Subsidies are available for the publishing of newspapers and books for the Sami. The Sami participate in the national political process and they also elect their own 39-seat assembly (Sameting) which is consulted on all matters of special importance to the Sami people. It has protected the language and culture and worked on decisions concerning resources and land use. The Sameting submits an annual report to Parliament. There is some concern over the control and management of natural resources in the northern part of the country known as Finnmark.

The rise in immigration has led to an increase in the number of pupils belonging to language minorities who are given the necessary instruction to enable them to complete their upper secondary education and pursue higher education or a career.

There are no reports of any restrictions on or violations of academic freedom.

Women have the same legal status and rights as men. Equal pay for work of equal value is laid down by law. Nevertheless, reports indicate women earn 10% to 15% less than men in pay and benefits. In this country of 4.9 million, 80% of women work outside the home. And 44% of positions on boards of directors of large companies are occupied by women, a percentage attained through the law on quotas.
The country provides a family allowance of 125 euros per child a month until they come of age. To this assistance is added a wide range of subsidised public childcare facilities, through which the government is able to guarantee a place for all minors. If a family prefers not to leave their child in a nursery, they receive an allowance of a maximum of 5,000 euros a year per child (until they reach the age of three), the equivalent of what a place at these centres would cost. Parents are entitled to three years of unpaid leave to look after their children, but a period of six months must pass between the mother returning to work after maternity leave and taking further time off for another pregnancy.

The Working Environment Act prohibits sexual harassment or unseemly behaviour and the government ensures that this is enforced.

Violence against women is a problem. An action plan has been developed to identify and address the root causes of domestic violence. There is a domestic violence coordinator in every police district.

Trafficking of women for the purpose of sexual exploitation is still a serious problem. The action plan "Stop human trafficking" sets out 37 measures to facilitate the coordination and coherence of all efforts to put an end to human trafficking and to ensure that the victims are protected and provided with assistance.

The new measures include:

Children aged between 13 and 18 can be employed part-time in light work which does not adversely affect their health, development or schooling. Minimum age rules are enforced by labour inspections.

There is a monitoring service for young people with a right to education (18-20 year olds) who are not attending school or working or for those taking a break from their education. The young person is registered and various meetings are held to determine the problem. In specific cases, the parents or other relatives can also participate. An action plan is discussed at these meetings. The first contact is made with the local employment office, a summary of the problem is prepared and an appointment is granted.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions and 55% of workers are unionised. Collective bargaining is available for all workers, including government employees and military personnel. The right to strike is permitted, except in certain circumstances when the government may require compulsory arbitration. Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited but there are reports that some victims of trafficking are subjected to forced labour. Wages are negotiated through collective bargaining. Some 200,000 people are reported to live below the poverty line. The working week is 37.5 hours.

State of the World Population 2010. "Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change" UNFPA, November 2010, www.unfpa.org (English)

Inter-Parliamentary Union, "Women in National Parliaments 2011, World Classification" www.ipu.org

Human Development Report 2010, "The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development", 20th Anniversary Edition, United Nations Development Programme - UNPD, New York, www.undp.org