There is a growing argument that a common culture heritage and language are necessary to form a new country. One group of countries that have these similarities are the Nordic countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Additionally, we must also include the Åland Islands, which is an autonomous region of Finland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, which are autonomous countries within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Historical Perspective:
In the past, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were united under a single monarch in the Kalmar Union. However, this union was often shaky and unstable, with battles fought between a Germanic Confederation of merchant guilds and towns known as the Hanseatic League. This led to severe trade disruptions within the Union, while an increase of taxes and revolts became more frequent. In 1523, Sweden declared its independence from the Union. These facts are now written in the history books, but what if the politics were to change for these countries and agencies?
Current Potential for Unification:
What if the Nordic countries united today to form a single country? The potential for these countries to unite is currently greater than any other region in the world. The Nordic people have a greater tolerance of each other, often displayed in trust and close cooperation, achieving a high standard of living and little government corruption. All these countries were placed in Forbes’ 10 happiest countries in the world in its 2018 list, with Finland placed first, Norway second, Denmark third, Iceland fourth, and Sweden ninth.
Population and Land Size:
Let’s explore in terms of population and land size how large this united country would be compared to the rest of the world. In terms of population, Denmark has 5.7 million, Sweden has just over 10 million, Norway has a population of 5.3 million, Finland 5.5 million, and Iceland is the smallest, with just 340 thousand citizens. The unification with the current populace would result in a population of 20.6.8 million. Its population would be higher than countries such as Australia, Romania, Kazakhstan, and Sri Lanka. However, it would be below countries like Angola, Saudi Arabia, and Poland. If all the Nordic countries combined into one nation, it would have a land area of 3.4 million square kilometers. It would result in a larger landmass than India but slightly less than Australia, making it the seventh-largest country in the world according to the International Monetary Fund.
Economic Factors:
These countries ranked high in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). Sweden has a GDP of 600.7 billion dollars, Norway has 443.2 billion, Denmark has 369.7 billion, and the GDP of Finland is 289.5 billion. Iceland is the only country to not reach the top 50 with a GDP of 23.9 billion. Hypothetically, our United Nordic nation would have a GDP of 1.7 trillion dollars. This country would be ahead of countries like Spain, Indonesia, and Russia but behind countries such as Brazil, India, and the UK.
When we look at GDP per capita, which is the GDP divided by population, Norway leads the way with $70,600 per capita. Iceland has $52,100 per capita, Sweden follows not far behind at $51,300 per capita, Denmark has $49,600 per capita, and finally Finland with $44,000 per capita. This is evidence of the high standard of living that the current countries achieve.
Military Power:
In terms of military power, the military defence budget of Denmark is currently 4.4 billion, Sweden’s is 6.2 billion, Norway has a budget of 7 billion, Finland has 3.6 billion, and Iceland 45 million. Iceland’s military budget is very low as it does not have a standing army instead they only have a Coast Guard to patrol its waters. The combined defence budget of these
countries would be 21.6 billion, placing it ahead of Turkey and similar to Israel, but less than Italy. The combined active personnel of this newly united country would be around 135,000, placing it ahead of countries like Singapore and similar to countries such as Greece and Portugal.
Education and Culture:
In terms of education, the Nordic countries have some of the highest literacy rates in the world, with all five countries ranking in the top 20 of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics’ literacy rate rankings. In addition, all five countries have highly developed education systems with a strong emphasis on equality and accessibility. This would ensure that the newly united country would have a highly educated and skilled population.
In terms of culture, the Nordic countries have a rich cultural heritage that is deeply rooted in their history and traditions. From the Viking heritage of Denmark, Norway and Sweden to the indigenous Sami culture of Finland, the cultural diversity of the Nordic countries is vast and varied. The newly united country would be a melting pot of different cultures and traditions, creating a unique and diverse cultural identity.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while the idea of a United Nordic nation may seem far-fetched at the moment, it is not impossible. The Nordic countries have a lot in common, from their shared history and culture to their high standard of living and low corruption. By uniting, these countries would create a powerful and prosperous nation that would be a major player on the global stage. While there would be some challenges to be overcome, the potential benefits of a United Nordic nation are too great to ignore.
Graphics Credit: Frida Hellberg
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