Norway is divided into 11 counties, which serve as the country's primary administrative divisions at the first level of regional organization. Counties function as an intermediate tier of government between the national government and municipalities, responsible for administering regional development, public transportation infrastructure, upper secondary education, and certain healthcare services. Each county is governed by an elected county council that manages these responsibilities within its jurisdiction. The current structure resulted from a 2020 reform that consolidated the previous 19 counties into the present 11, aimed at creating larger administrative units capable of more efficient service delivery and regional planning. Counties also coordinate cultural institutions, maintain county road networks, and oversee dental health services for priority groups.