The demand for consumer goods in the modernisation of the Norwegian economy, 1850–1920

Abstract

This article shows that purchasing power and consumption grew considerably in Norway in the period 1850–1920. This growth, however, brought with it only very minor changes in the patterns of consumption and demand towards industrial products and services. However, there were changes in the demand for food products in that consumption moved from basic vegetarian products towards highly-processed animal food products. Thus, the changes in Norwegian consumption patterns, resulting from increasing purchasing power had little effect on the industrialisation process in Norway, apart from in the food industry.