Birth or Death Not Allowed in Longyearbyen: Know Why Norway's Town Has These Unique and Mysterious Regulations

London, January 12: In the remote Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, located midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, unique environmental conditions have led to unusual local regulations: it is effectively "illegal" to give birth or die there. Residents of the main settlement, Longyearbyen, are required to travel to the Norwegian mainland as they approach the end of their lives or their due dates. These rules are not based on legal technicalities, but on the practical realities of living in one of the world's most extreme climates.

The primary driver behind these restrictions is the permafrost—ground that remains frozen year-round. Because the earth never thaws, bodies buried in the local cemetery do not decompose. This poses a significant public health risk, as ancient viruses and bacteria can remain preserved in the soil for decades. Additionally, the small, isolated community lacks the advanced medical infrastructure necessary to handle high-risk births or complex end-of-life care, making mainland facilities the only viable option for residents. Daily Morning Affirmation for Today: 12th January 2026.

Birth or Death Not Allowed in Norway's Longyearbyen

The decision to stop burials in Longyearbyen was solidified in the mid-20th century. Researchers discovered that the permafrost had perfectly preserved the bodies of miners who died during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.

When scientists exhumed the bodies nearly 80 years later, they found live samples of the deadly virus still present in the tissue. To prevent the accidental release of such pathogens, the local government mandated that anyone who is terminally ill must be flown to the mainland to spend their final days. Fish Skin Miracle: Tilapia Graft Saves Hyderabad Dog Who Lost Half Its Skin to Sepsis (Watch Video).

The ban on giving birth is similarly rooted in safety. Longyearbyen has a small hospital equipped for emergencies and basic care, but it does not have the specialised staff or equipment required for neonatal intensive care or complicated deliveries.

Pregnant women are required to leave the island approximately three weeks before their expected due date. They typically travel to Tromsø, the nearest major city on the Norwegian mainland, to ensure they have access to a full-service maternity ward.

Because of these rules, Svalbard has a demographic profile unlike almost any other place on Earth. It is a town inhabited almost exclusively by the able-bodied and the employed. There are no retirement homes or palliative care centers.

If a resident reaches an age where they can no longer care for themselves or find themselves without employment, they are generally expected to return to the mainland. The Svalbard Treaty allows people of various nationalities to live there without a visa, but they must be "self-sufficient" to remain.

Beyond the permafrost, the archipelago faces other logistical hurdles. The presence of polar bears, which outnumber human residents, necessitates that anyone leaving the town limits must carry a firearm for protection. The extreme cold also means that infrastructure, including water and sewage lines, must be built above ground to prevent them from freezing or shifting with the permafrost. These environmental constraints continue to dictate the social and legal fabric of this unique Arctic society.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2026 12:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).