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Comment by lobster_johnson | Hacker News Reader

Whereas Norway was able to build its wealth on oil, Sweden -- having only a tiny, tiny bit of oil -- had to build their country the hard way, with industry and commerce.

And they are very, very good at it. As a result, Sweden seems comparatively more active, in terms of industry and business in general. They have a lively entrepreneurial spirit, and a lively Internet startup scene. Norway is still lagging in this area, perhaps as a result of having become docile by not having to fight for its economy.

In terms of living standards, Norway and Sweden are on the same level, and at roughly the same gini index. Sweden's GDP is about 30% higher, but Norway's is 45% higher per capita.

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While it's true that Sweden doesn't have oil, it does have considerable natural resources: mining, forestry, and hydroelectric-power account for about 30% of its exports (about 350 billion SEK = US $50 billion). It's the 2nd-largest producer of wood and paper products after Canada, I believe, and mining's traditionally been a huge part of the economy, though it's less important now than it was some decades ago.

Absolutely. But if you look at exports, you will also see that Sweden produces a huge amount of stuff. Chemicals, machinery, transport, cars, telecomms etc. Its exports in those areas are almost the size of Norway's petro business. Norway has comparatively little manufacturing.

"GDP by activity (2010): Oil and gas 22%; general government 16%; manufacturing, mining, electricity, building and construction 15%; value added tax (VAT), etc. 11%; commodities, vehicle repairs, etc. 7%; communication and transport 4%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 1%; other services (commercial, housing, financial, private health/education, hotel and catering, etc.) 24%."

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3421.htm

So while manufacturing is smaller sector than services in Norway, it's not negligible at all.

> As a result, Sweden seems comparatively more active, in terms of industry and business in general. They have a lively entrepreneurial spirit, and a lively Internet startup scene.

You can definitely see that in the indie gaming scene: quite a few well known (and good) Swedish studios (Mojang of course, but also Arrowhead, developers of Magicka or Frictional, developers of the Penumbra series and Amnesia). Meanwhile I could not tell you of any Norwegian indie game dev, I don't know any (I'm sure they exist, but I don't know them)

Funcom is probably the best known

Also Playfish, I think, that were recently acquired by EA.

Also DICE is based there (Battlefield)

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