Welfare Model in the Nordic Countries

A welfare state is characterized by the government playing a key and important role in safeguarding and promoting the social and economic well-being of its citizens. Equal wealth distribution and equal opportunities to all are the basic premises on which a welfare state functions. The government also holds public responsibility for those citizens who are unable to attain themselves the minimum provisions that are required for living a good life. In Europe, there are four different types of welfare models that can be found in practice today. They are the British model, Continental European model, Mediterranean model and the Nordic model.The Nordic model which the paper focuses on is found in practice in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland i.e. the Nordic countries. It remains different from the welfare policies of the other countries and that of continental Europe by having a very flexible labour market with the presence of large number of trade unions and employers’ organizations. This paper looks into the Nordic welfare model of the three Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The paper discusses the way these countries have managed their social polices of welfare and equality as well as the current challenges their welfare model faces.