Theme
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Municipal Nordics face common challenges
Municipalities across the Nordic region are under pressure from ageing populations, labour shortages and rising costs. The challenge is to deliver quality services in line with residents’ growing expectations, according to the Nordic municipal organisations.
6 minutes
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Iceland’s municipalities slashed in half in 25 years
Many Icelandic municipalities have merged, particularly since they assumed responsibility for compulsory education in 1996. Although the number of municipalities has been halved since the start of the century, there are still more than ten that have fewer than 250 inhabitants, and some remain unwilling to merge.
5 minutes
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Gender equality barometer 2025
Gender equality in the top positions of power in the Nordic region in 2025 remains at a low level in NLJ’s gender equality barometer. Women get 68 points – 100 points mean full equality. But it would be even worse if Iceland did not for the first time in history elect both a female prime…
8 minutes
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Iceland: Equality must be fought in every sector
In Iceland, women are now in a majority in the government coalition, and all three government party leaders are women. Many women also hold major public positions. In general, Iceland is considered one of the most gender-equal countries in the world. Yet despite the good progress, experts say that in many areas, Iceland is a…
8 minutes
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Boyhood researcher: “We need to exercise our reading muscle”
There is still work to be done to make Finnish schools more gender equal. An ambitious gender equality programme is needed, believes the Finnish boyhood researcher Harry Lunabba. Both boys and girls would benefit from it. Falling PISA literacy scores can have long-term consequences for pupils.
9 minutes
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Sweden: Gender gap widens in education, economically and politically
Women are significantly more represented in higher education, especially in rural areas – a trend that is repeated in all Nordic countries. It has given many women a better life with higher employment levels and wages. However, the development also shows that men are falling behind.
6 minutes
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Nordic maritime sector sets sail towards greater gender equality
Men still dominate the maritime industry. In certain onboard professions, women are almost absent. Creating a secure working environment for everyone, regardless of gender, is crucial to make the industry more equal, argue the initiators of the Nordic REDO Lookout project.
8 minutes
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Equality under pressure – how the Nordics are fighting back
More than 50 years after the cooperation on gender equality began, the Nordics are doubling down on the promise to ensure that the region will continue to lead the way in the fight for equality and inclusion.
6 minutes
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Danish students turn entrepreneurs to make a difference
An increasing number of students at Aarhus University choose entrepreneurship to solve important social challenges. One of them is medical doctor Christina Gravgaard Andersen, who has set up her own company while studying.
6 minutes
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Nordic youth on what is needed to give them faith in the future
Many young people in the Nordics have a dim view of the future. Some struggle with mental health, remain outside education and work, and many worry a lot about their own generation. The Nordic Labour Journal has asked what they think is needed to create a brighter future.
10 minutes