Norrænu lífeyriskerfin virka vel hvert í sínu landi, en þau hafa ekki þróast í takt við vinnumarkað sem nær yfir fleiri lönd. Þegar lífeyrisréttindi færast yfir landamæri verða til stjórnsýsluhindranir sem valda óöryggi og fjárhagslegu tjóni fyrir norræna borgara sem flytjast milli landanna. Greiningin sýnir að þeir njóta oft lakari kjara en þeir sem eiga allan sinn starfsferil innan eins lands, meðal annars vegna skorts á yfirsýn, mismunandi reglna um greiðslu lífeyris og skattlagningu, auk verulegs munar á uppbyggingu og stjórnsýslu kerfanna. Í reynd lenda einstaklingarnir sjálfir oft í því að þurfa að samræma samskipti milli yfirvalda og lífeyrisaðila í mörgum löndum. Jafnframt skortir sameiginleg norræn tölfræðigögn um lífeyrisréttindi yfir landamæri, sem gerir erfitt að meta umfang vandans og þróun hans. Skortur á gögnum er því í sjálfu sér kerfislæg hindrun. 

De nordiske pensjonssystemene fungerer bra nasjonalt, men er ikke utviklet til et arbeidsliv som strekker seg over flere land. Når pensjonen krysser grenser, oppstår det hindringer som skaper usikkerhet og økonomiske tap for mobile borgere. Analysen viser at disse ofte får dårligere vilkår enn personer med et rent nasjonalt arbeidsliv – blant annet på grunn av manglende overblikk, forskjellige regler for utbetaling og beskatning samt store forskjeller i systemenes struktur og administrasjon. I praksis ender borgeren med selv å måtte koordinere mellom myndigheter og pensjonsaktører i flere land. Samtidig mangler det felles nordisk statistikk over grenseoverskridende pensjonsrettigheter, noe som gjør det vanskelig å vurdere problemets omfang og utvikling. Mangelen på data blir dermed en strukturell barriere i seg selv.

De nordiska pensionssystemen fungerar väl på nationell nivå, men är inte utformade för ett arbetsliv som sträcker sig över flera länder. När pensionen passerar nationsgränser uppstår hinder som skapar osäkerhet och ekonomiska förluster för mobila medborgare. Analysen visar att de ofta får sämre villkor än personer med ett helt nationellt arbetsliv, bland annat på grund av bristande överblick, olika regler för utbetalning och beskattning samt stora skillnader i systemens struktur och administration. I praktiken blir det ofta den enskilda medborgaren som själv måste samordna kontakterna mellan myndigheter och pensionsaktörer i flera länder. Samtidigt saknas gemensam nordisk statistik över gränsöverskridande pensionsrättigheter, vilket gör det svårt att bedöma problemets omfattning och utveckling. Bristen på data blir därmed i sig ett strukturellt hinder. 

The five Nordic countries account for just 1.2% of the world’s forest growing stock. Yet their forest industry plays an outsized role in global trade. The region ranks first in exports of softwood sawnwood (24% of global exports) and paper (14%), and second in wood pulp exports alongside Canada. Finland and Sweden are also home to half of Europe’s strictly protected forests, including some of its last large areas of wilderness in the north. Nordic forests play an important role in tackling climate change. They provide renewable materials that can replace fossil-based products, while growing trees absorb and store carbon. Fossil fuels account for only half as large a share of the energy supply as in the EU. Nordic Forest Statistics 2026 brings together key statistics on the region’s forests, forest industry and environmental issues.

This report explores the concept of psychological resilience across the Nordic Region and its role in societal security. Using the Finnish comprehensive security strategy as a point of departure, it combines literature and policy reviews with case studies from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

The report develops a framework for understanding psychological resilience and examines how shared values, identity, and trust shape communities’ abilities to adapt to changing circumstances and crises. The case studies explore how cultural initiatives, community associations, and voluntary organisations contribute to resilience through everyday activities and local action.

The findings highlight the role of local actors in connecting national preparedness efforts with community needs and underline the importance of psychological and social dimensions of resilience alongside more established approaches to preparedness, infrastructure, and defence. The results have relevance for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from crises that threaten the values and critical functions of Nordic societies.

European productivity growth has increasingly fallen behind the United States, creating renewed focus on European competitiveness. This debate intensified following the Draghi Report from 2024, which highlighted a persistent productivity gap between Europe and the US. 

 Historically, the Nordic economies have remained close to the global productivity frontier while combining strong institutions, high labour-market participation, social cohesion, and relatively ambitious climate policies. At the same time, there are increasing indications that the Nordic model is facing new challenges. 

 This report examines the factors that have historically contributed to strong Nordic competitiveness and productivity performance and analyses key challenges and barriers that may shape the ability of the Nordic economies to remain among the world’s leading economies in the years ahead.

Nordic Proof is a professional consortium of health tech test facilities spread across all five Nordic countries. The network supports companies developing digital health and medtech solutions with access to testing, development, verification studies, and real-world validation environments, from early-stage prototypes to market ready products.

This report presents the results and key milestones from the Nordic Proof international project, funded by Nordic Innovation. Over several years,Nordic Proof has expanded its reach into new markets, strengthened existing partnerships, formed new partnerships and strengthened its position as the leading Nordic testbed network for health tech companies.

Det Nordiske Havprogrammet skal bidra til å møte den planetære trippelkrisen, som inkluderer klimaendringer, tap av biologisk mangfold og forurensning, og som har alvorlige konsekvenser for havet. Programmet er forankret i Nordisk ministerråds visjon 2030 og understreker viktigheten av bærekraftig forvaltning og bevaring av havmiljøer.

 Havprogrammet har som mål å bevare og beskytte nordiske havområder ved å fokusere på og styrke kunnskapsbasen innenfor fire tematiske områder.

This working paper examines the emerging land-sparing agenda from a Nordic planning and land governance perspective.

The publication clarifies key concepts related to land take and summarises relevant international and EU policy developments. It outlines how Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden currently facilitate land take reduction ambitions through planning and land-use policies. The overview of current policies, regulations, and practices is structured according to the land take mitigation hierarchy of avoidance, reuse, minimisation, and compensation.

The memo highlights the need to approach net land take as an integrated governance challenge that extends beyond urban sprawl and housing development. To achieve significant reductions in net land take, shared commitment and coordinated action across government levels, land-use sectors, and policy domains are needed. Stronger efforts to identify and manage the tensions and synergies between different forms of land-use are furthermore called for.

A survey of adolescents aged 15–19 in all Nordic countries shows that energy drink consumption is common. More than three in five (61%) consume energy drinks at least weekly, while 22% do so daily. Taste is the main reason for consumption, followed by wanting more energy or to stay awake. Most buy energy drinks in grocery stores and consume them at school, work or with friends.

 Three in ten adolescents report having felt unwell or experienced negative health effects after consuming energy drinks. Some also report discomfort when they do not drink them, such as tiredness and headaches, and one in six feel they cannot manage their day without an energy drink.

 One in three adolescents would like to reduce their consumption, mainly due to cost and health concerns. Higher prices are the measure most often considered effective.

This report presents results from a Nordic project (2023–2025) on understanding the marine ecosystem off East Greenland. It brings together scientists, local stakeholders, and communities to share knowledge about a region undergoing rapid environmental change.

 The study highlights how ocean conditions are shifting, affecting fish stocks, marine mammals, and seafloor habitats. It also points to the need for better understanding of food webs and climate impacts. Input from local communities adds valuable insights on observed changes and challenges for fisheries, tourism, and governance.Overall, the project strengthens Nordic cooperation and supports improved knowledge for future assessments. It underlines the importance of continued dialogue, shared knowledge, and coordinated monitoring to ensure sustainable management of Arctic marine ecosystems.

Nordiska ministerrådets verksamhetsår 2025 präglades av en alltmer komplex och oförutsägbar omvärld. I detta sammanhang har det nordiska samarbetet visat sin styrka och relevans. Nordiska ministerrådet har bidragit till konkreta framsteg inom flera områden, från grön omställning och digital utveckling till social sammanhållning och stärkt samarbete över gränserna. 

 I denna årsberättelse presenteras ett urval av de resultat och effekter som det nordiska samarbetet har skapat, och som visar på styrkan i att arbeta tillsammans i en tid som kräver dialog, tillit och gemensamma lösningar. 

 Årsberättelsen för Nordiska ministerrådets verksamhet 2025 är den första i sin nuvarande form. Till följd av organisationens pågående arbete med att uppdatera sin mål- och resultatstyrning kommer den successivt att utvecklas över tid.

The future competitiveness of the Nordic region will largely depend on how well it manages to develop, utilise and renew its human capital. Productivity, innovation and adaptability depend on the right skills being available, talent being utilised where it is most needed and investments leading to the greatest possible value creation. This publication starts from the premise that several of the mechanisms that influence these factors are also impacted by gender equality. Gender equality is therefore a key issue for the region’s economic efficiency and competitiveness.

 By highlighting these links, the publication aims to contribute new perspectives on how the competitiveness of the Nordic region can be strengthened, focusing on: 1) the importance of the digital transformation, 2) the green transition of industry and working life and 3) welfare and social care as social infrastructure.

Nordens framtida konkurrenskraft avgörs i hög grad av hur väl regionen förmår utveckla, använda och förnya sitt humankapital. Produktivitet, innovation och omställningsförmåga är beroende av att rätt kompetens finns tillgänglig, att talang används där den gör störst nytta och att investeringar leder till största möjliga värdeskapande. Denna rapports utgångspunkt är att flera av de mekanismer som påverkar dessa faktorer också påverkas av jämställdhet. Därför är jämställdhet en central fråga för regionens ekonomiska effektivitet och konkurrenskraft. Genom att synliggöra dessa samband vill Nordiska ministerrådet för jämställdhet och lgbti bidra med nya perspektiv på hur Nordens konkurrenskraft kan stärkas, med fokus på: 1) Den digitala transformationens betydelse, 2) Den gröna omställningen av industri och arbetsliv, samt vikten av 3) Välfärd och omsorg som social infrastruktur.