Table of Contents
In the current scenario, while the term ‘Scandinavia’ is commonly used for Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the term “Nordic countries” is vaguely used for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, including their associated territories of Greenland, the Faroe Islands and the Åland Islands.
Every year, on the occasion of the World Happiness Report, the Nordics have their high level of happiness pointed out. And even though it’s always nice to be in the top league, let’s bear in mind the difference in both culture and mindset of different nations.
Why are Scandinavians so much more successful than Americans?
Looking at Scandinavian Americans shows that their productivity is higher than average, their wages are higher than average and, because taxes in the US are lower, they get to keep more of the money than their homeland counterparts!
Is the Nordic population increasing or decreasing?
Populations are getting larger but the percentage of people working and paying taxes is in a slight decline. This is not unique to the Nordic countries – it’s a problem that every country is facing. Current projections are that by the end of this century the global population will have started decreasing.
How were the Nordic countries different from the rest of Europe?
The Nordic countries first came into more permanent contact with the rest of Europe during the Viking age. Southern Finland and northern parts of Sweden and Norway were areas where the Vikings mostly only traded and had raids, whilst the permanent settlements of Vikings in the Nordic region were in southern Norway…
The Nordic Model works in Scandinavia because it’s in Scandinavia. It’s a whole system, not just a few policies, that makes life in Scandinavian countries more like a shared journey. There are, no doubt, things that the rest of the world could learn from the region.