Comparison

Norway vs Indonesia

Side-by-side comparison of how these places approach childhood.

At a glance

Norway

In Norway, all children have a legal right to attend kindergarten from age 1 โ€” and 92% do.

Since 2009, every Norwegian child has a statutory right to a kindergarten place. With fees capped at roughly $300/month and heavy public subsidies, near-universal attendance from age 1 is the norm.

Indonesia

In Bali, a baby's feet don't touch the ground for 105 days โ€” children join temple ceremonies from infancy.

Across the archipelago's 17,000 islands, childhood rituals vary dramatically โ€” but communal child-rearing and spiritual milestones are universal threads.

Indicators side by side
Under-5 mortality rate
2.4
Norway
21.4
Indonesia
per 1,000
Education spending (% of GDP)
6.6%
Norway
3.5%
Indonesia
%
Child poverty rate
7.6%
Norway
23.5%
Indonesia
%
Corporal punishment
Banned
Norway
Not fully banned
Indonesia
Childcare enrollment (0-2)
60%
Norway
4%
Indonesia
%
Paid parental leave
59 wk
Norway
13 wk
Indonesia
weeks
Child stunting rate
n/a
Norway
21.6%
Indonesia
%
Immunization (DPT3)
97%
Norway
80%
Indonesia
%
Adolescent birth rate
4.1
Norway
36.0
Indonesia
per 1,000
PISA average score
478
Norway
379
Indonesia
points
Secondary completion rate
86%
Norway
62%
Indonesia
%
Early childhood education enrollment
97%
Norway
62%
Indonesia
%
Birth registration rate
100%
Norway
77%
Indonesia
%
Child labor rate
0%
Norway
7.0%
Indonesia
%
Child benefit spending (% of GDP)
3.2%
Norway
0.2%
Indonesia
% of GDP
How they compare
Child independence expectations
Norway
Indonesia
Low High
Structured enrichment emphasis
Norway
Indonesia
Low High
Risk tolerance in play
Norway
Indonesia
Low High
School systems
Nordic model

Norway

Children start school at age 6 with a year of play-based learning. Formal academic instruction begins at age 7. No grades until year 8. Education is free through university. Small class sizes and high teacher autonomy are hallmarks.

Centralized national model with religious tracks

Indonesia

A dual-track system: secular schools under the Ministry of Education and Islamic schools (madrasah) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Both follow a national curriculum. The school day starts at 7 AM and includes character education, religious instruction, and flag ceremonies every Monday.

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โ† Norway profile ยท Indonesia profile โ†’