Regional and rural and urban differences in mortality in Norway are examined since the mid-nineteenth century. "A levelling-out of variations took place as an aspect of the rapid reduction of mortality during the first half of this century. The northeasternmost part of the country, however, still stands out as a region of relatively high mortality. Particularly low levels of mortality are found in the predominantly rural parts of East, South and West Norway...." A higher level of mortality in urbanized areas is also noted.