The COVID-19 pandemic in Norway: The dominance of social implications in framing the policy response

Highlights

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  This article provides insights into the evolution and implications of the Norwegian policy response to the COVID-19 crisis.

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  Three different agendas motivated the Norwegian policy response: limiting disease spread, mitigating economic effecs and engaging with the social consequences.

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  The oil and gas industry and the Sovereign Wealth Fund insulate Norway from the full economic consequences of the pandemic and policy response.

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  The social implications of the policy response and the pandemic, particularly on young people are a key consideration for the emergence from the crisis.

Abstract

Objectives

To describe the impact and policy response to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Norway and the implications this has for future policy development and Norwegian society.

Methods

Documentary analysis of publicly available statistics, government documents and media sources.

Results

: Three different agendas motivated Norwegian policy: stemming the spread of the virus domestically, mitigating the impact on the economy and addressing the social costs of the policy response.

Conclusions

The oil and gas industry and the Sovereign Wealth Fund have permitted Norway to manage the costs of the pandemic. But may also lead to a shift in government priorities in health, social and economic policy.