Most people are not capable of assessing their own finances. That is the conclusion from Statistics Norway’s (SSB) study “Outlook for the Norwegian Economy 2025” (“Utsyn over norsk økonomi 2025”).

While that same large mass of the population most definitely believes that their finances have deteriorated noticeably in recent years, the state’s own agency for commissioned research asserts that this is incorrect. Most Norwegians have become more affluent, it is stated.

Pure commissioned work

On Tuesday, SSB presented a number of research reports in its annual “show-off” to demonstrate to the public what it does. Common to almost all research from SSB is that it is commissioned by the public sector, usually the government and, under it, ministries.

In many contexts, commissioned research appears more or less understandable and reasonable and quite often important. And generally, more or less accurate.

But certainly not always: When it comes to the study which concludes that the majority of the population misunderstands and misinterprets its own economic reality, this work appears as a commissioned piece with a purchased and paid-for conclusion.

And then we are no longer speaking of applied research with an open outcome. Then we are dealing with political humbug, in this case a commissioned attempt to change the general public perception in a more government-friendly direction.

Homeowners misunderstand

The news was accordingly disseminated by the authorities’ own state broadcaster, NRK:

– Many households have in reality become more affluent, but report that they have become less so, especially many homeowners. They underestimate the inflation gain that they have on their loans. People fixate on the price of highly visible goods, which they purchase frequently, says the research manager for the study “Outlook for the Norwegian Economy” – Audun Langørgen to NRK News.

Underestimates most people

It is tempting to respond that here SSB underestimates the intelligence of most people, and quite considerably. The vast majority of us are intelligent individuals who naturally perceive whether we have become more or less affluent over the past five or six years (the current and previous electoral period).

The study takes as its starting point the wage settlements of recent years and measures them against general price increases/inflation. Yes, it sounds simple, but it is not at all. Important parameters have evidently been forgotten or disregarded here, and a highly questionable result has been reached.

It is almost as if one can hear the echo of Gro Harlem Brundtland regarding people’s lack of ability to hold “correct” views about what is happening around them. Something that repeatedly caused her distress; that “people held mistaken views”.

In other words: the state and the government know best – one need only ask SSB.