1. A comparative and quantitative analysis of the social and economic development in the High North from 1945 until today.
Jonas Stein
PhD Candidate
Political Science
UiT The Arctic University of Norway

2. Development of “Gator”
Based on the methodology and ideas of Gary King - Various researchers working on one database
A database for quantitative research created in 2015
The first version is based on data from Norwegian municipalities mainly from 1945 until today
Long-term goal: Available through an easy access user interface
Short-term goal: Available through UiT Open Research data
Prof. Geir Runar Karlsen ( ) aka «Gator»

3. Structure of “Gator” Possible to aggregate for regional/national level
Panel-data structure
Suited for a variety of analytical techniques, including longitudinal and multilevel analysis
Analysis within regions
Analysis between regions
Spatial regression
Mainly social, economic and political data
Sources: Statistics Norway, Statistics Sweden, Eurostat, NSD - Norwegian Centre for Research Data
Accessibility to urban areas within 45 minutes drive in Source: nordmap.se

4. Structure of “Gator” – data view

5. Future development of “Gator”
Currently adding environmental data
Currently observations and 283 variables
Currently building a similar structure for Sweden – which can be merged in for comparative analyses
Compatible with the European ‘Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics’ (NUTS)
Team of 5 researchers working on the data - The Stein Rokkan Research Group for Quantitative Social and Political Science.
Long-term plan is to use the data for comparative analyses of the High North and also to other European regions

6. Demographic development in the High North

7. Demographic development

8. Demographic development

9. Urbanization and emergence of university cities
Emergence of university cities Umeå, Luleå and Tromsø, Bodø

10. Urbanization and emergence of university cities
University cities are taking a more important national role

11. Urbanization and emergence of university cities
Internal regional urbanization: Especially towards Umeå and Tromsø

12. Urbanization in Norway

13. Stronghold for the Labour Party
+50% until Stabilization around 35%

14. Stronghold for the Labour Party nationally
National trends are a driving force behind regional results - Rokkan

15. Bloc overview
Support for political parties left of centre (Social-democrats, Socialists, Communists)

16. Bastion for Norwegian Communist party
Votes for the Norwegian Communist Party in national elections

17. Strong opposition to EU membership in the North
Referendum about EU membership in 1972 and 1994