The United Nations' Human Development Index has for many years ranked Norway as the best country in the world to live in. It is a safe and stable, well-functioning and transparent democratic society with a highly developed health and welfare sector. Norway has one of the world’s best gender related equal opportunity records, and is organised to accommodate dual-career families.

Cultural hub surrounded by nature
As a hub for creative people and one of Scandinavia’s cultural capitals, Oslo offers a rich and varied array of music, cuisine, design and art. Justly famous for its clean air, stable climate and spectacular scenery, the region is a haven for all outdoor pursuits. Visitors from around the world are surprised to discover Oslo's large scenic areas with public right of way along the fjord or in the forests and mountains that surround the city centre. From golf, sailing, hiking and biking in the summer to skiing, skating and sledding in the winter – all can be reached within minutes from downtown and throughout the region, using the local transportation system of trams, busses and boats.

Open and international
Oslo is a multicultural region with a large international community. In the City of Oslo alone, more than 20 per cent of the population is of non-Norwegian origin, that is, either not born in Norway or none of their parents born here. People have an outstanding knowledge of foreign languages and are generally open-minded towards visitors and people desiring to live and work in the region.

With a young and most highly educated population, Oslo is a national and internationally oriented hub for the development of the robust and forward-looking Norwegian economy.

Green, clean and compact
Oslo is a compact city with short distances. It is easy to move around by public transportation and you can access rentable city bikes all over the city centre. The Oslo region is known for its focus on environmental issues, energy efficiency, and sustainable city planning through innovative technologies and new infrastructures. In 2003 Oslo received The European Sustainable City Award and in 2007 Reader's Digest ranked Oslo as number two on a list of the world's greenest, most liveable cities.