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POLITICS

ANALYSIS: How will the 2022 budget change life in Norway?

Norway's 2022 budget provides for changes to income tax, fuel prices, childcare costs and electricity bills. The proposed budget now has the support required to pass through parliament. 

Pictured is a laptop and accountancy notes.
These are the key things you need to know about Norway's budget for next year. Pictured is a laptop.

The government agreed earlier this week on a budget with The Socialist Left Party. Barring unforeseen developments, this means the budget will have enough votes to pass through parliament later this week.

The full details and finer points of the budget agreed with the Socialist Left Party haven’t been fully revealed, and it’s unclear how much, if anything, has changed since the government unveiled its original budget last month. What we do know so far is detailed below.

What’s becoming cheaper

The government has consistently touted this budget as one for the people, stating its main aims are that those with the least get a fairer deal and those with the most pick up more slack. 

Cuts of around 50 percent to electricity tax between January and March, the months when bills are at their highest, are applied in the budget. 

READ ALSO: This is how much electricity in Norway will cost this winter

There will also be lower taxes for those who earn between 250,000 to 700,000 kroner per year and a tax credit of up to 5,170 kroner for those aged between 17 and 29 who earn less than 535,000 kroner per year. 

Union membership will become cheaper through the doubling of tax deductibles for members to 7,700 kroner. 

Childcare will also get cheaper next year. Firstly, the maximum price for a kindergarten place will be reduced. The maximum a kindergarten will be able to charge for a spot will be reduced from 3,315 kroner per month to 3,050 kroner. 

Furthermore, as part of the negotiations with the Socialist Left Party, it’s been agreed that all first-grade children will have access to a half-day place at an after school activity. In addition, planned cuts to financial support for children’s glasses and cuts in child allowances have been reversed. 

Dental work will become less costly for young people, with 21-and-22-year-olds receiving a yet to be confirmed discount on dentistry. 

Ferries should also become cheaper, and the government said when it unveiled its initial budget last month that 1 billion kroner would be set aside for bringing fares down. 

What’s becoming more expensive?

Norway’s bracket tax, an incremental tax paid based on your earnings and paid alongside the flat rate, will be raised for higher earners. In general, income tax will become higher for those who earn more than 643,800 kroner a year and the entry points for steps three and four for the incremental tax will be lowered. In addition, a fifth step for the highest earners, who make more than 2 million kroner, will be introduced. 

The cost of fuel will go up considerably due to hiked taxes on petrol and diesel. Petrol tax is set to rise to 1.60 kroner per litre, and diesel tax will increase to 1.87 kroner per litre.

The wealth tax will also go up. The overall rate will rise to just under 1 percent of individual net worth. Property will also be taxed more under the wealth tax, and a new step for those with the largest fortunes will be introduced, as a result of the negotiations between the government and the Socialist Left Party. 

Air travel will become slightly more expensive, too, as an air passenger tax will be reintroduced and will cost anywhere between 80 and 214 kroner, depending on the destination. 

What else do I need to know? 

Public transport will receive around 500 million kroner. This reverses an earlier position in which extra money for trains, buses and trams wasn’t planned despite warnings up and down the country that routes would be cut. 

Additionally, people laid-off because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 will receive holiday pay next year, continuing a policy from 2020. 

Next year’s budget promises to be greener. A 28 percent bump to the CO2 tax for the oil industry has been announced, while Norway will not grant new oil exploration licenses in new or little-explored areas. 

READ MORE: Norway rules out 2022 oil licences in unexplored areas

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POLITICS

Norway ranked the best county in the world for press freedom

Norway has once again claimed the top spot in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, showcasing the Scandinavian country's high level of press freedom and independence.

Norway ranked the best county in the world for press freedom

The new World Press Freedom Index, published on Friday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), once again singled out Norway as the global champion of press freedom.

Norway has scored high on virtually all indicators, including the political, economic, legislative, social, and security ones. Its total final score was 91.89 – a drop from 95.18 in 2023 but still high enough for Norway to remain in first place.

Norway has also seen a fall in its political indicator score, which emerged as a common theme in this year’s index.

Ireland (8th), where politicians have subjected media outlets to judicial intimidation, has ceded its leading position in the European Union to Denmark (2nd), followed by Sweden (3rd).

The RSF further commented on the countries that performed the worst in this year’s index: “The three Asian countries at the bottom of last year’s Index – Vietnam, China and North Korea – have ceded their positions to three countries whose political scores have plummeted: Afghanistan, which has persecuted journalists incessantly since the Taliban returned to power; Syria; and Eritrea, which is now last in both the political and overall rankings.

“The last two countries have become lawless zones for the media, with a record number of journalists detained, missing or held hostage.”

A robust legal framework and vibrant media landscape

Reporters Without Borders pointed out that Norway’s robust legal framework and vibrant media landscape have contributed to its continued success in promoting press freedom.

The organisation further said that the Norwegian media market boasts diverse outlets, including the dominant public service broadcaster NRK and various private publishing companies, all of which operate with extensive editorial independence.

Despite the presence of a strong public broadcaster, digital platforms like the online version of the VG newspaper have gained prominence, reflecting a dynamic and evolving media environment.

“The Norwegian media operate in a favourable political environment. By and large, Norwegian politicians refrain from labelling unfavourable coverage as ‘fake news’ and from disparaging its authors.

“Parliamentarians and government ministers avoid approaching the editorial boards of publications subsidised by public bodies”, the RSF said.

The full findings of the 2024 World Press Freedom Index can be found on the RSF website.

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