The success of the Norwegian economy in the twentieth century has been remarkable. In 1910 Norway was industrially backward and one of the poorest nations in Europe. In 1980 The Economist ranked Norway among the three richest industrial countries in the world. In 2025 Norway is the 9th richest country in the world according to GDP. Originally published in 1983, this book presents a detailed and penetrating analysis of the Norwegian economy. It describes the geography and resource endowment of Norway and explores population changes. The different stages of development, including the difficult years of the German occupation are examined in depth and government policies discussed, with particular reference to their effect on the trade union movement.

The author considers the different sectors of the economy and surveys overall economic trends. He relates economic developments to important political and social changes which affected the economy and compares the Norwegian economy to others, and to the movements in the international economy.