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About

Nordregio

Photos: Emil Spangenberg, visit.dk / iStock / iStock

Research that guides policies for a thriving, sustainable Nordic Region 

Nordregio is a Nordic research institute specialised in regional development, policy, and spatial planning. Established by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 1997, the institute supports Nordic co-operation by producing applied, policy-relevant research and comparative analysis on the latest development trends in policy areas central to Nordic regional economic growth, competitiveness and sustainable development.
Through its research, Nordregio contributes to the Nordic Vision of becoming the world’s most sustainable and integrated region. The institute’s mission is to provide policymakers and practitioners with the knowledge and tools necessary to support sustainable and inclusive development across the Nordic Region and beyond.
Nordregio conducts solution-oriented research and statistical and geospatial analysis that address current societal challenges from both an academic and a policy perspective. The institute works across international, national, regional and local levels, with a primary focus on the Nordic countries while also engaging in the Baltic Sea Region, Europe and the Arctic.

Research fields and expertise

Nordregio’s work covers a broad range of themes central to regional development and planning, including:
  • Regional development
  • Rural development
  • Urban planning and housing
  • Demography and migration
  • Labour markets and economic policy
  • Governance
  • Sustainability
  • Digitalisation
  • Marine spatial planning
  • Arctic
Through interdisciplinary teams combining policy analysis, data and spatial expertise, Nordregio links statistical and geospatial analysis with research insights. Strong competences on GIS and cartographic visualisation are an integral part of identifying and communicating territorial patterns and regional disparities. By connecting local knowledge with cross-country comparisons, Nordregio provides decision-makers with practical tools and evidence to support balanced, place-based development strategies.

A hub for Nordic statistics

In addition to its research activities, Nordregio serves as a central hub for Nordic statistics. The institute coordinates and develops the Nordic Statistics database and the Nordic Health and Welfare Statistics (Nomesco-Nososco). These statistical platforms provide a centralised access to comparable Nordic data to support analysis and evidence-based policymaking across the Nordic Region.
By combining research expertise with statistics, Nordregio strengthens the link between data, analysis and policy development.

Explore further

Research projects

Learn more about Nordregio’s research
nordregio.org/research

Publications

Access reports, policy briefs, working papers and studies
nordregio.org/publications

Maps

Make use of downloadable maps, including those featured in State of the Nordic Region nordregio.org/maps

Statistics

Get easy access to comparable Nordic statistics
nordregio.org/statistics

Newsletter

Subscribe to thematic mailings and research updates
nordregio.org/about/subscriptions

About State of the Nordic Region

State of the Nordic Region is Nordregio’s flagship publication on regional development in the Nordic countries. The 2026 edition marks the 21st volume of the publication. It builds on a long tradition of Nordic co-operation in collecting, harmonising, and analysing regional statistics. First produced in 1981 by Nordregio and its predecessor organisations, the report provides an overview of ongoing trends across municipalities and regions. It offers policymakers and practitioners fact-based analysis to support strategic planning and decision-making.
The report examines key developments across three broad themes: demography, labour market, and the economy. The combination of statistics, analysis and map-based visualisation highlight both shared Nordic patterns and local or regional differences. As such, State of the Nordic Region enables place-based insights that inform policy and strategic planning at local, regional, national, and Nordic levels. It also facilitates comparative learning and reflection.
State of the Nordic Region strengthens Nordic identity and co-operation and contributes to international understanding of the region. It offers a robust foundation for identifying opportunities and challenges in building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Nordic regions.
STATE OF THE NORDIC REGION 2026