Welcome to FES Nordic Countries

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Female friends having dinner at back yard on sunny day — Creator: Maskot,1350227247, Getty Images

The FES Nordic Countries

Combining social security with economic performance, the ”Nordic model” still inspires a wide range of European societies. Gender equality, inclusive social security, economic growth and social integration seem to be more successfully implemented in the Nordics than in any other parts of the world. What are this welfare model’s strengths and what challenges does it face? What can be learned from this model from a German perspective? In which way can the Nordic countries profit from German experiences? And, which common challenges do these individual societies face in the future?

Foreign and Security Policy
News
Publication

Tuesday, 07.07.2026

Centring Security in a Peripheral State

What does “Zeitenwende” mean for a country with no military?

Economy and Labour
News
Publication

Wednesday, 01.07.2026

Retirement at 70?

In May 2025, the Danish Parliament adopted legislation to raise the statutory retirement age to 70, effective from 2040. Why this Danish Retirement Age Only Works as Part of a Comprehensive Package is discussed in our new...

Economy and Labour
News
Publication

Tuesday, 19.05.2026

How is the Nuclear Energy Industry Performing Worldwide?

Nuclear energy is highly debated in Sweden, as well as in other countries. The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2025 gives answers by presenting facts and data about the current status and development of the global...

Photo of Office Director Kristina Birke Daniels accompanying Mette Wettes' opinion piece published in IPG Journal. — Creator: Ida Borg

Press

Wednesday, 06.05.2026

Mettes Wette

Dänemark wagt ein Mitte-links-Experiment. Kann Regierungschefin Frederiksen der europäischen Sozialdemokratie neue Orientierung geben?

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Our Topics

Social Democracy

Renowned for their innovative social policies and for the high standards of their democratic institutions and their focus on equality and inclusiveness, the Nordic countries are a synonym for modern democratic welfare states.

Professional Heavy Industry Engineer - Worker Wearing Safety Uniform and Hard Hat Uses Tablet Computer. — Creator: Gorodenkoff, AdobeStock

Decent Work and Fair Economy

The Nordics are famous for their high-tech exporting economies, boasting high productivity and innovativeness. This success relies on a long tradition of social partnership with strong trade unions with a level of membership.

Quit Frontier — Creator: Patrick Chin_DTS

Peace and Security

The Nordic countries with a strong track-record on supporting multilateral organisations initiatives, are situated in two regions of increased geopolitical interests and heightened security tensions: The Arctic circle and the Baltic Sea.