This paper develops a public education scheme that takes uncertainty aspects of private educational investments explicitly into account. In the author’s framework, the social merits of public education schemes are related to the lack of markets in which students can insure against educational...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes core and idiosyncratic inflation in Norway. The paper provides estimates of underlying inflation, using a statistical technique to decompose inflation and a measure of core inflation into “common” and “idiosyncratic” components. It finds that overall...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes inflation in Norway with a view to shedding light on this surprising development and the possible near-term course of inflation, using statistical and econometric analyses. The paper reviews recent developments of monetary policy and inflation in Norway,...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Norwegian economy is set to grow strongly in 2007 for the fourth consecutive year. This economic performance is underpinned by strong monetary and fiscal policy frameworks. External demand, both for petroleum products and other Norwegian...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation for Norway highlights that the mainland GDP growth edged up to an estimated 1.4 percent in 2002, from 12 percent in 2001, driven by strong consumption growth. Mainland investment and traditional exports slackened, as a result of weak external demand, high real...

This 2001 Article IV Consultation highlights that the real mainland (non-oil) GDP of Norway is estimated to have grown well below potential in 2001, at 11⁄4 percent. Although high oil prices supported household confidence and domestic activity through most of the year, the global slowdown has...

This Selected Issues paper presents an assessment of Norway’s inflation targeting framework. It describes the institutional framework, and reviews accountability and transparency of the central bank as well as its communication with the public. The paper discusses the design of the framework,...

This Selected Issues paper presents the projections on the fiscal and external profiles for Norway, and discusses the long-term prospects and policy options. The study evaluates the details and implications of the system of social insurance schemes; and long-term profile of oil-related exports...

Norway, one of the world's richest economies and the second largest oil exporter, has been a model of prudent economic management of resource wealth. Executive Directors commended the impressive economic performance, marked by sustained solid growth, low inflation, unemployment, and strong...

In 2003, domestic and external factors in Norway slowed real GDP growth to an estimated 0.5 percent. With inflation pressures waning, Norges Bank cut interest rates aggressively. The non-oil fiscal position has deteriorated somewhat over the past two years, only partly reflecting the cycle....