Arctic Economies Between Geopolitical Tensions and Provision of Livelihoods: Insights from the ECONOR Approach

Abstract

We present results from the Economy of the North (ECONOR) projects on the circumpolar Arctic economy and socio-economic conditions, as economic background for studies of geopolitical challenges of the Arctic. The ECONOR reports describe how the economy and livelihoods in the Arctic are conditioned by the global economy and climate change, and gives overviews of the regional Arctic economies, with economic and socio-economic indicators, gross regional product and disposable income of households. This can give a background for understanding how the resource wealth of the Arctic and differences in policy and institutions shape the Arctic economy and socio-economic outcomes and conditions for sustainability. We describe how the ECONOR approach gives insight into the economic background for geopolitical interest in the Arctic, given the abundance of natural resources.