Since World War II, Norway has experienced rapid economic growth, and is now amongst the wealthiest countries in the world.[a] Norway is the world's third largest oil exporter after Russia and Saudi Arabia and the petroleum industry accounts for around a quarter of GDP.[2] It has also rich resources of gas fields, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals. Norway was the second largest exporter of seafood (in value, after China) in 2006.[3] Other main industries include food processing, shipbuilding, metals, chemicals, mining and pulp and paper products. Norway has a Scandinavian welfare system and the largest capital reserve per capita of any nation.
Norway was ranked highest of all countries in human development from 2001 to 2006, and came second in 2007 (to fellow Nordic countryIceland).[b] It also rated the most peaceful country in the world in a 2007 survey by Global Peace Index.[4] It is a founding member of NATO.
^Human Development Index. Note that although Norway and Iceland's scores are the same to three decimal places, Iceland ranks higher when the decimal is expanded.
