Erik Engheim
2 min readJun 19, 2022

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It might be a topic I would write about at some point but I first have to understand better what exactly the claim is.

When you characterize Nordic countries as homogenous, what are you actually comparing to? Which countries in Europe are less homogenous in Norway than in a way that matters in terms of solving solving social matters?

Switzerland is a very diverse country and yet is just as stable and with few social problems. I don't see how diversity has stopped Swiss development.

I could mention New Zealand and Canada as well.

I am curious about your other remark. What gives you the idea that Nordic countries deliberately imported people because there are particular jobs we don't want to do? As a Nordic I must say there are many peculiar ideas about the Nordics that many foreigners have which I am absolutly puzzled by. Like where do they get these ideas from? It must be something or someone giving them these ideas.

17% of the Norwegian population is foreign born today (more than the US). It is more in Sweden. Where do you have the idea that we have such massive social problems from having foreigners? Yes, there are some challenges. I should know since a live in an area of Oslo with majority-minority population. My kids go to school with 15-20 different nationalities.

I grew up in a Norway in the 1980s with a lot less immigrants, but the social problems and crime was much worse then. Homicide rates in Norway today are at a historical low down at the 1960s level. So what exactly are these problems we have?

All my nearest neighbours are muslim. I live 1 minute walk from a mosque. My youngest son is right now playing with muslim kid. Can you describe to me, what social problems am I experiencing where I live? What is supposed to keep me up and night? I have lived here over 10 years. I take night walks in this neighborhood on a regular basis.

I keep hearing from foreigners we are supposed to have all these problems with foreigners. Why cannot people be more specific? If these problems are real, then surely I must be experiencing them. I am living in the middle of it.

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Erik Engheim
Erik Engheim

Written by Erik Engheim

Geek dad, living in Oslo, Norway with passion for UX, Julia programming, science, teaching, reading and writing.

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