Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Discrimination in the Nordics - statistics & facts
The Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden all have a reputation for being open-minded and tolerant. For instance, Iceland, Norway, and Finland top the Gender Gap Index, which measures economic, political, educational, and health-based gender equality. Moreover, same-sex marriage is legalized in all five Nordic countries, and a large majority feel comfortable working together with different types of minorities.
Nevertheless, the reported number of hate crimes and discrimination increased in recent years in both Norway and Sweden, respectively. Of the reported cases, a majority in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were related to skin color or ethnic origin, underlining that racism continues to be a societal problem in the Nordic countries. Moreover, two people were killed in a fatal shooting during Pride in Oslo, Norway in 2022. Several measures have been undertaken against discrimination, but less than 40 percent have been found effective in Denmark.
Nevertheless, the reported number of hate crimes and discrimination increased in recent years in both Norway and Sweden, respectively. Of the reported cases, a majority in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were related to skin color or ethnic origin, underlining that racism continues to be a societal problem in the Nordic countries. Moreover, two people were killed in a fatal shooting during Pride in Oslo, Norway in 2022. Several measures have been undertaken against discrimination, but less than 40 percent have been found effective in Denmark.
Ethnic minorities
Ethnic or racial discrimination can come in many forms and at different places. It can be hateful comments in public spaces, being refused entrance to bars and clubs, and even threats and violence. Survey results from Sweden show that a lot of the ethnic discrimination there occurred in a work context, either at work or when applying for a job. In Denmark, over 60 percent of the respondents who had experienced ethnic or racial discrimination said that this came in the form of hateful comments or remarks. Discrimination can cause anxiety, fear, and mental stress among the victims and is a societal problem. In Denmark, more than half of the respondents who had experienced ethnic discrimination had considered leaving the country due to the discrimination, albeit to varying degrees. This is not only a problem for the individuals experiencing the discrimination, but also for society as a whole, as foreign workers are crucial in sustaining the Nordic welfare state as their current populations are growing older.The Sami population
In Norway, Sweden, and Finland, a special focus is directed toward discrimination against the Sami indigenous population which has its roots in the northern parts of the respective countries and has its own language and cultural practices. A Sami parliament exists in all three countries in which the indigenous group can voice its interests. However, the Sami population has not always been treated as equals by the Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish states. For many decades, they were victims of brutal assimilation policies and were often looked down on as primitive and simple. In November 2024, the Norwegian Parliament issued an apology to the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finns minorities for the policies. Recently, conflicts have emerged between the Sami people and the Norwegian state as the latter has built wind turbines in areas used by the Sami for reindeer herding. Today, most Norwegians have rather positive views of these minorities, whereas Romani people, which is recognized as a national minority in the country, continue to face negative opinions.Homophobia, lesphobia, and transphobia
Behind ethnic and racial discrimination, discrimination against LGBTQ+ people was the most common in the Nordic countries. The legal rights of LGBTQ+ people have improved significantly over the past decade, with same-sex marriages and adoptions legalized. However, they continue to face discrimination and prejudices in their everyday lives. In Sweden, 12 percent of the reported hate crimes were directed against LGBTQ+ people, and in Norway one-fifth of the hate crimes were based on sexual orientation. As a result, negative emotions were significantly more present among non-heterosexuals in Norway than they were among heterosexuals. Because of this, more than 40 percent of the respondents found it important to continue the fight for LGBTQ+ people's rights.
