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The Nordic Region generally has strong public support for mitigating climate change. In fact, nearly half (49%) agree that more public resources should be spent fighting it, even if this means raising taxes. Social acceptance is key for successful climate policies. So what can policymakers do to create policies that will be both effective and gain public support? Nordregio’s research clarifies the issue. What determines acceptance of climate policies? Cost. How do policies impact households and regional economies?Effectiveness. Do people believe policies will deliver meaningful change?Fairness. Are measures perceived as fair across different groups and regions? The research also highlights that “social acceptance” is not a fixed concept. Does it mean a simple majority, full consensus, or active support? And who counts – local communities, voters, or the general public? Fairness thus offers a nuanced factor in climate policy acceptance, raising questions of distribution and geography. Key findings from Nordregio’s research: Despite public concerns, the economic modelling developed in the EnIGG project, shows that implementing key climate measures – increased biofuel use, promoting electric cars, and phasing out coal – would have only moderate overall effects on GDP and household finances. However, regional variation is significant, depending on the local economy’s reliance on fossil-intensive industries. Forming policies to gain acceptance How climate policies are designed and implemented affects whether they gain public support. Our research highlights the following strategies (among others) to build acceptance: ✔️ Address local and regional economic impacts – some areas and sectors may face a disproportionate burden. ✔️ Use positive storytelling, transparent communication and vision-building to foster public engagement. ✔️ Early-stage involvement of impacted groups and group-specific impact assessments improve policy outcomes and public acceptance. ✔️ Engage civil society and labour unions to ensure buy-in from diverse stakeholders. ✔️ Explore tailored solutions as different groups face…

Over the past three decades, there has been considerable diversity in population growth rates among Arctic regions. These range from a near doubling of the population of the territory of Nunavut in Canada to a 70 percent decline in the population in the Chukotka okrug in the Russian Far East. At lower geographic levels, there has been a trend towards the concentration of populations into larger urban centers and sizable shrinkage or closure of many smaller settlements. A playground in Qaanaaq, Greenland. By Leneisja Jungsberg, Nordregio. A combination of demographic and economic factors has contributed to these trends, including Russia’s transition to a market economy. There are also significant demographic differences between Arctic indigenous and non-indigenous populations. Arctic indigenous populations tend to have higher fertility, lower life expectancy, and younger age structures. Population change for any country or region consists of two components, natural increase – the difference between the number of births and deaths and net migration – the difference between people migrating to a region and those leaving. This note analyzes and maps population change in the Arctic since 1990 showing the large differences among regions and settlements in the Arctic. Alaska The population of the United States has grown by 37 percent since 1990, due to equal contributions of natural increase and net immigration. The population of Alaska grew slightly less than this, by one-third, because of higher natural increase and outmigration. Migration to and from Alaska is quite volatile based on relative economic conditions in Alaska and the rest of the U.S. There has been net out-migration from Alaska since 2012, which is the longest sustained exodus since 1867. Over this period, 57,000 more people left the state than arrived In 2017, the population of the state declined for the first time in three decades and…

How can the Nordic-Baltic region enhance digital security during times of geopolitical instability? In the first of Nordregio’s NB-Connect event series, experts gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening digital resilience and safeguarding connectivity infrastructure in the Nordic-Baltic region. Photo: Krzysztof Kowalik / Unsplash.com The physical threat to a digital world In the face of a changing geopolitical climate, European countries are raising their guards and shining the torch on vulnerable critical infrastructure. The Nordic and Baltic states are currently scrutinising their vulnerabilities to hybrid attacks, particularly following recent incidents involving communication cables in the Baltic Sea. These attacks have highlighted the need to monitor and protect communications systems, reminding us that digital security is highly reliant on physical infrastructure. But security challenges span further than human induced incidents, where remote regions, such as Greenland, face challenges in securing essential communication infrastructure due to harsh arctic environments and a lack of private investment incentives. To address the pressing issue of secure digital infrastructure, Nordregio recently gathered experts from the NB-Connect expert group, as well as associated national representatives and members of the research community. This online event marked the first in a series within the NB-Connect project, funded by the Nordic-Baltic Ministers for Digitalisation in their commitment to making the Nordic-Baltic region the most digitally integrated in the world by 2030. The research project focuses on sharing digital connectivity data across the Nordic-Baltic region, and the first event on 18 March particularly covered security threats to communication systems, how these threats differ between regions, and the complexities of covering hybrid threats under international law. Cecilia Leveaux from the Nordic Council of Ministers emphasised the importance of both access to, and the security and resilience of, the digital infrastructure: “It impacts everything and is a hot topic in the ministerial councils and…

As the Nordic Region faces an increasingly evident demographic shift, many municipalities are grappling with the challenges of population decline, ageing, and uneven distribution of residents. This trend raises concerns over economic sustainability, public service delivery, and local infrastructure development. The focus on growth, traditionally viewed as the key indicator of success, is not enough to address the complexities of today’s demographic realities. New perspectives are needed to shift from simply managing population shrinkage to making communities stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient for the future. That’s where the concept of smart adaptation comes in. It offers a strategic framework designed to reshape how we think about resource allocation, public services, and economic resilience in the face of demographic change. Rethinking population shrinkage Rather than viewing shrinking populations as a problem that needs fixing, smart adaptation turns the attention towards potential. It’s about embracing change, finding new ways to live and work, and shaping a future that does not rely on growth for success. But how can we rethink our policies to reflect this new reality? Elin Cedergren, Research Fellow at Nordregio, highlights key challenges, including the difficulty of openly discussing population shrinkage and its effects. At the same time, she points to opportunities in the Nordic Region. Cooperation between municipalities and regions can help pool resources to improve service provision. Strong civil society networks and associations can help sustain lively communities. However, spatial justice needs to be considered. Vulnerable demographic groups and sparsely populated areas require targeted support and a voice in policymaking. “It’s time to rethink how we approach this challenge,” says Cedergren. “We’ve viewed shrinking populations as a problem to solve. But what if we reframed it as an opportunity for transformation? By embracing change, regions can focus on building stronger communities, rather than trying to reverse…

Sustainable food policies influence more than what’s on our plates. Strengthening local food production and promoting healthy diets can improve public health, support local economies, and increase resilience in times of uncertainty. Reviving local food systems in the Faroe Islands Hogni Hoydal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Faroe Islands, discusses the importance of sustainability and self-sufficiency in food production in a recent interview for a project on Nordic food environments and behaviour change for better diets. “Well, basically it’s about being more sustainable and self-producing our own food, which we did 50 years ago,” Hoydal explains. “You catch your own fish, your own birds, you have your own sheep and some vegetables,” he continues. However, over time, the Faroe Islands, like much of Europe, have shifted towards a more consumer-driven society. “Now we import most of our food, especially vegetables,” Hoydal adds. The new agricultural policy of the Faroe Islands seeks to strengthen self-sufficiency. A shift towards a more sustainable, locally focused food system is part of a broader regional effort to ensure food security while addressing environmental challenges. The Faroese government encourages for instance schools and hospitals to make use of local products to integrate local agriculture into public food systems. Such initiatives benefit public health and help to create a better market for local farmers, stimulating the regional economy. The Faroese efforts to revitalise local food systems, reduce reliance on imports, and promote healthy eating habits contribute to strengthening food security, long-term health and community resilience. They are also an example of a broader trend in the Nordic Region, where policies are being developed to address both climate risks and socio-political challenges. Working towards healthy and sustainable food systems in the Nordic Arctic The interview is part of a broader exploration…

How well do migrants integrate into Nordic societies? The Nordic Statistics Database has released updated data on migration and integration, offering insights into labour markets, education, and social trends. This harmonised and comparable dataset helps researchers, policymakers, and the public understand how integration unfolds across generations in the Nordic countries. A key tool for accessing this data is the updated integration and migration dashboard, which provides a user-friendly overview of foreign-born individuals and their descendants across the Nordics. “Reliable, comparable data is essential for shaping policies that support social and economic inclusion,” says Vitor Miranda, who leads Nordregio’s work on the Nordic Statistics Database. “This new dashboard makes it easier to track long-term integration trends and compare developments across the Nordic countries.” A joint Nordic effort The Nordic Statistical Institutes have collaborated on migration and integration statistics since 2015 with funding from the Nordic Council of Ministers. The first results were published in 2018, and the latest data update was carried out in 2024*. (*Note: Data for Iceland is currently pending due to ongoing methodological revisions by Statistics Iceland.) Key insights at a glance The dashboard offers interactive data visualisation and filtering options, making it easier than ever to explore: Users can also refine their search by region of birth, duration of stay, and reasons for residence permits. Each graph includes links to the source matrices with additional details and metadata. Why do we need Nordic data? The integration and migration dataset is an important resource for understanding how migration shapes Nordic societies. Its value lies in: Explore the data and track migration trends in the Nordic Statistics Database: About the Nordic Statistics Database The Nordic Statistics Database is a comprehensive collection of harmonised statistical data, covering key societal trends across the Nordic countries. Managed under the auspices of the…

As the Nordic Region faces new and complex geopolitical shifts, Nordic policymakers have deemed increased cross-border transport critical. At the recent Platform North conference, Anna Lundgren, Senior Research Fellow at Nordregio, shared research insights from the NORDINFRA project and the critical elements required for effective cross-border transport infrastructure planning. Funded by the Swedish National Transport Administration and carried out between 2021 and 2023, the NORDINFRA project, a collaborative effort between Nordregio and Umeå University, aimed to identify the barriers and drivers of successful cross-border collaboration. The project focused on three connections (all at an early planning stage): the Helsingborg-Helsingør connection, the Stockholm-Oslo railway, and a multimodal line from Mo I Rana in Norway through Umeå in Sweden to Vasa in Finland. Insights to enhance Nordic cross-border transport First, a top-down approach is key. National-level political collaboration and support are essential for paving the way. The Nordic ministers on transport infrastructure have issued a declaration on cooperation and mandated the national transport administrations to deepen their cooperation, which are important steps in the right direction. Secondly, a systems perspective is fundamental. Cross-border infrastructure planning transcends national boundaries, and considering the different modes of transport in that system is essential. To date, the Nordic Region lacks a comprehensive overview of the Nordic transport infrastructure system of transport flows, and the national transport plans. Thirdly, it’s a question of costs and benefits. Economic figures and risk analyses are the foundation of sound decision-making. The results highlighted the need for joint analyses and models to estimate transport flows, evaluate risks and calculate costs and benefits. Roadmap to a Nordic transport model Anna Lundgren outlined best practices for policymakers and planners engaged in transport infrastructure planning: Acknowledge and navigate the complexities introduced by national borders and multiple governance levels; Ensure that national-level governments and relevant…

This policy brief emphasises the role of the bicycle in addressing challenges in planning sustainable cities and transport, and debunks eight common misconceptions.

Cross-sectorial collaboration and integration of innovative practices within current frameworks is essential to succeed.

This holiday season, we’re inviting you to explore a Nordic winter wonderland from Santa's perspective, gifting all fellow data nerds our first-ever 3D Christmas map!

The Nordic-Baltic region, renowned for its digital proficiency, faces a critical challenge: a widening digital divide between urban centres and its vast, sparsely populated rural areas. To address this, a new Nordregio research project “Nordic-Baltic Connectivity (NB-Connect) was launched, building upon the success of its predecessor.

How can urban, rural, and regional policies contribute to the Vision 2030 of making the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world? Starting from January 2025, we will give you a closer look through a series of events. Our research insight series offers an opportunity to explore how urban, rural, and regional policies can work in synergy to address shared challenges and create sustainable solutions. We will share selected highlights from research and projects carried out by Nordic thematic working groups in 2021-2024. Each event will focus on a different topic. Through different perspectives, they highlight the unique benefits of Nordic cooperation, showcasing how Nordic countries, regions, cities and municipalities are working together to address shared challenges and opportunities through tailored and locally adapted solutions. You can already sign up for: Upcoming sessions later in the new year will address remote work, social inclusion, smart adaptation in rural areas, and climate-neutral cities. Stay tuned for more details! This series provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among policymakers, researchers and academics, as well as practitioners in the Nordic Region. Join us to learn, share, and draw inspiration for the future of regional policy and practice. Get insights into how Nordic collaboration translates research into policy inspiration and strategies that benefit the entire region.

Gender imbalance in nursing has significant social, cultural and economic implications. Nursing remains a female profession, which not only limits workforce diversity – but also perpetuates gender norms. Encouraging more men to enter and succeed in the field is essential to address critical workforce shortages and ensure equitable representation. A more diverse workforce enhances creativity, improves patient care and better reflects the communities it serves, ultimately contributing to a more equitable healthcare system.  According to Gísli Kort Kristófersson, Professor of psychiatric nursing at University of Akureyri, and a project member in “Share the Care”, there are four main reasons why we should increase male enrollment to nursing:  “First of all, it’s kind of a human right argument. Males should have the right to go to nursing without having this micro aggression. It has to be a choice, and it has to be with you being the person you want to be.  Two is work force reason […]. If we are only recruiting from one half of the population […], if we only recruit to nursing people with red hair we would have less nurses, and it’s the same with gender […] and we are facing a shortage of nursing.  Then there is a quality reason […] that the nurses should represent the users they serve, and this goes for race, ethnicity, culture, […], and gender is only one part of that.  And then there are also evidences to suggest that more gender balanced workplaces are a little happier”.   Why are men under-represented in nursing, why are they dropping out of nursing studies and why don’t they take jobs in the care sector? The project tries to address these questions. Funded by the Nordic Gender Equality Fund (NIKK), the Share the Care project is a joint initiative of Nordregio and partners from Iceland, Norway…

Remote work is no longer a passing trend; it is fundamentally altering how people in the Nordic Region live, move, and interact with space. With hybrid work now the norm for many, its effects on transportation, housing, urban cores, and rural areas demand strategic attention. As policymakers and planners navigate these shifts, embracing change while shaping sustainable outcomes has never been more critical.  Drawing from Nordregio’s collected research on the topic, this report explores the implications of remote work for planners and policymakers as they navigate the evolving landscape. It focuses on the tools and policies used in Nordic countries after the COVID-19 pandemic to support remote work.   COVID-19: A significant shift in work patterns  The numbers are clear: remote work levels in the Nordic Region surged during the pandemic, and have remained high ever since, exceeding those in the rest of the European Union. Norway, in particular, has seen a dramatic increase, and Denmark reports the lowest levels in the region after the pandemic. Despite this growth, most of the Nordic population still cannot, or chooses not to, work remotely – 58% never work from home in 2023 compared to 73% in 2017. However, hybrid work has become the new normal for a substantial segment of the population, bringing about notable spatial effects.  Changing mobility and settlement patterns  The rise of remote work has influenced migration patterns, with higher mobility observed during the pandemic, especially movements away from major cities. While most relocations have remained within metropolitan areas, rural regions and smaller towns have gained attention as viable alternatives. This “two-way exchange” benefits both sides: while future mobility patterns are unclear, it is possible for remote work to further enable economic growth in urban centres or for rural areas to attract skilled workers and boost local services. Studies reveal local…

To achieve their climate goals, the Nordic countries need to implement ambitious climate policies in the coming years. The green transition impacts all parts of society, and the just green transition means adding a social dimension: it must be inclusive and avoid disproportionately affecting certain groups.   Policymakers face a major challenge of ensuring that everyone is part of the journey to climate neutrality. This calls for a broader understanding of the social implications, which is why the Nordic research institute Nordregio just launched a digital toolbox, providing policymakers with the knowledge and resources to develop inclusive, fair policies.    Nordregio’s research, supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers, identified six actionable priority areas to make the transition inclusive: developing a vision, engaging citizens, assessing and mitigating social and regional impacts, adopting a place-based approach, investing in inclusive reskilling and upskilling, and supporting green choices.   “The user-friendly toolbox highlights the key areas policymakers need to keep track of, which is invaluable when working to ensure that Iceland’s green transition is both fair and inclusive”, says Eggert Benedikt Guðmundsson, Leader of Sustainable Development in the Prime Minister´s Office of Iceland, and chair of the research project’s steering group.    The consequences of an unjust green transition could be far-reaching, with increased social inequalities and divides, reduced economic productivity, and lower competitiveness.    “We want to point out in a simple way what policymakers need to take into account to make the green transition as fair as possible”, Nora Sánchez Gassen, senior researcher at Nordregio.     The toolbox is the final product of Nordregio’s research project Not Just a Green Transition (NJUST) – Examining the path towards a socially just green transition in the Nordic Region. The content is based on desk research, a Nordic survey and discussions with representatives of social groups. Extra attention is…

Nordregio is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Niedomysl as its new Research Director. Thomas commenced his role this month, taking charge of Nordregio’s research priorities and providing support to the research team.

The Nordic countries are often considered global front-runners when it comes to creating sustainable societies. And while we do a lot of things right, big tasks lie ahead if we are to reach our vision of being the most integrated and sustainable region in the world by 2030. So how can we make sustainable everyday choices more attractive?  The Sustainable Living programme set out to explore this, collecting six innovative projects, each addressing a crucial aspect of sustainability: youth, food, culture, product labelling, education, and gender. The ultimate goal is to make sustainable choices the new norm in the Nordic Region and this requires a team effort across sectors and country borders. This week, Nordregio hosted the Sustainable Living Summit in Stockholm, marking the conclusion of the four-year programme. The event launched the Sustainable Living Hub, collecting all the project resources in one place, and thought leaders across industries, policy, government, academia and civil society joined as we shared an inspiring conference day for sharing Nordic knowledge. Nordregio was pleased by the strong interest in the event, with nearly 700 people registering to attend either in person at Kulturhuset or online (watch a recording of the event here).   Sweden’s Climate Minister, Romina Pourmokhtari, was invited to open the full-day event, and she set the tone for a collaborative atmosphere by putting emphasis on our everyday practices and Nordic collaborations:   “The Sustainable Living programme is a shining example of how we can foster sustainable lifestyle choices and integrate sustainability into our everyday lives through concrete guidelines and Nordic peer learning.”  Her words encapsulated the sense of responsibility that echoed throughout the day’s discussions, underscoring the need to tackle environmental challenges across sectors and disciplines. Throughout the day, the speakers put the spotlight on both a policy level and an individual level. Sustainable…

As global challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and geopolitical tensions intensify, preparedness and resilience have become central concerns for policymakers at all levels. Nordic regions face various risks, including severe weather events, disruptions to food and energy supplies, and cross-border emergencies. Ensuring robust civil preparedness is essential to maintain stability and operational capacity during crises. A newly published storymap ‘Robust regional civil preparedness in the Nordic Region’ introduces a selection of good practices to showcase how Nordic regions address risks and challenges through locally adapted solutions. The good practice examples have been collected as a part of Nordregio’s Robust Regional Preparedness project that examines the regional policy dimension of building civil preparedness and resilience. Elin Slätmo, Senior Research Fellow at Nordregio and project leader of Robust Regional Preparedness, explains: “In this assignment from the Nordic regional ministers, our team is looking into how regional policy in the Nordics addresses civil preparedness and crisis response. We are also working to identify cases and good examples from across the Nordic Region.“ Diverse initiatives across the Nordic Region The storymap reflects a wide range of diverse approaches for strengthening civil preparedness at regional and local levels. In addition, the examples highlight the importance of cooperation between different actors to address shared risks and enhance joint preparedness. Among the 24 featured good practices, you can discover for instance how: What is the role of regional policy and local and regional action in build robust societies? Civil preparedness is an important part of managing risks ranging from natural disasters like storms and wildfires to disruptions in essential services such as food and energy. Local and regional authorities are often the first to respond and take action, implementing measures that safeguard communities and ensure the continuity of essential services. Their ability to implement flexible,…

How are the nutrition professionals of tomorrow working towards a greener and healthier world? What motivates a career in the food industry? Nordregio is going to Green Innovation Week 2024.

On 15 October, a range of sustainability stakeholders will gather in Stockholm as Nordregio hosts a conference on sustainable lifestyles. Sweden’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, will give the opening speech.