Norway is the world’s happiest country — unless you’re living on the streets

There’s no shortage of positive adjectives to describe Norway.

Not only is the country of five million people one of the richest in the world, but it’s also one of the happiest.

It also has one of the strongest economies and, you could argue, one of the most beautiful natural environments on the planet.

So it may come as a surprise to learn that the northern European country that so many admire is also one of the meanest countries in the world.

At least, if you are poor. 

Beggars, among the most vulnerable members of society, have been declared persona non grata in Norway.

Hard-hearted Norwegian lawmakers passed a law this summer that allows municipalities to ban begging before a nationwide prohibition goes into effect next summer.

Arendal, a city and municipality on the southern tip of the oil-rich country, is one of the first to introduce the anti-begging law.

Politicians in the city of 40,000 people argue begging is linked to crime — something local police say just isn’t true.

"Begging has not been a problem," local officer Jan Sverre Krogstad said.

And it’s not just beggars who are unwelcome in Norway.

The homeless have also been targeted. Funding for emergency shelters has been cut and the capital Oslo has banned sleeping outdoors on public property, such as on the street or in parks.

Activists say the rules target Roma migrants, whose numbers have increased significantly in recent years. 

That Norway, of all countries, has taken such a hard-line against the poor is shocking.  It’s not like they can’t afford to give away a few kroner.

The country’s sovereign wealth fund is worth more than $800 billion, making every Norwegian a citizen a millionaire in their own currency.

Norway also has one of the highest levels of gross domestic product per capita in the world at more than $100,000 — nearly twice that of the United States.

Its unemployment rate of 3. 7 percent is one of the lowest in Europe, if not the world, and even if you don't have a job you can still afford to give money to the poor. 

But maybe that's the problem. The Norwegians have got it too good.