Country Profile: Svalbard

Svalbard is a remote archipelago located in Northern Europe, north of mainland Norway. It is characterized by its rugged, ice-covered terrain and a small population primarily concentrated in the settlement of Longyearbyen. The economy is largely driven by coal mining, tourism, and research, with a unique status as a non-self-governing territory of Norway. Governance is managed by a governor appointed by Norway’s Ministry of Justice, ensuring adherence to Norwegian laws.

Geography

Svalbard consists of nine main islands, with rugged mountains and glaciers covering approximately 60% of its total area. The climate is arctic but tempered by the North Atlantic Current, which keeps its waters navigable most of the year. The archipelago features a coastline of 3,587 km and has no land boundaries.

62,045 sq km: Total area, slightly smaller than West Virginia.
1,717 m: Highest point is Newtontoppen.
0%: Agricultural land as of 2018.

People and Society

The population of Svalbard is estimated at 2,556 in 2025, with a diverse demographic comprising 61.1% Norwegians and 38.9% foreigners, primarily consisting of Russians, Thais, and Swedes. Most inhabitants live in Longyearbyen, which acts as the cultural and economic hub of the archipelago.

-0.03%: Population growth rate as of 2019.
-5.57: Net migration rate in 2021.

Economy

Svalbard's economy is categorized as a high-income Norwegian island economy, heavily reliant on coal mining, tourism, and research. The archipelago is known for hosting the Global Seed Vault and has recently seen the establishment of a brewery.

10.746 NOK: Estimated exchange rate per US dollar in 2024.

Government

Svalbard is classified as a non-self-governing territory of Norway, administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice through a governor based in Longyearbyen. The Svalbard Treaty, signed in 1920, bestowed sovereignty to Norway while allowing foreign nationals and corporations certain rights.

King HARALD V: Head of state since 1991.
Governor Lars FAUSE: Head of government since June 2021.

Military and Security

Svalbard does not maintain regular military forces due to its demilitarized status under the Svalbard Treaty established in 1920. Any military presence is limited to fisheries surveillance by the Norwegian Coast Guard.

No regular military forces: Military activity is restricted.

Transportation

Transportation in Svalbard relies on sea and air travel, with three ports serving the archipelago: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, and Ny-Alesund. These ports are critical for the logistics necessary for tourism and coal exports.

3 ports: Total number of ports as of 2024.

Communications

The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) provides satellite TV and radio services to Svalbard, ensuring access to local and national media. The internet country code for Svalbard is .sj.

Access to 3 NRK radio stations: Available for broadcasts.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,556 (2025 est.)	Estimated future population
Area	62,045 sq km	Total area
GDP	N/A	No specific GDP data available
Energy Consumption	N/A	No specific energy consumption data available
Birth Rate	N/A	No specific birth rate data available
Unemployment	N/A	No specific unemployment data available
Climate	Arctic	Characterized by cool summers and cold winters
Maritime Claims	12 nm territorial sea	Territorial sea limit