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Scandinavia in the Latter Part of the 20th Century
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After the war Denmark and Norway joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO. Sweden and Finland remained neutral.
The growth of industry and prosperity was reinstated after the shortage caused by the war years. Social security was developed. A structural change for the benefit of the industry and the service sector took place in the economic life. The number of people making their living in agriculture declined abruptly, a fact that caused a migration into growth centres and even abroad. Also political refugees altered the population structure.
Unemployment became a significant problem due to the recession in the early 1990's. At the same time social benefits were being reduced and the foundations of a welfare state were brought up for reconsideration.
Denmark joined the European Community (EC) in 1972; Finland and Sweden joined the European Union (EU) in 1995. |
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