(OSLO) - Opposition to Norway joining the European Union has reached an unprecedented high of 54.3 percent, suggests an opinion poll carried Monday by public broadcaster NRK.

The Norstat institute survey, which questioned 1,000 people from January 15 to January 21, indicated that only 34.6 percent of Norwegians would vote in favour of EU membership in a referendum.

Some 11.1 percent of respondents were undecided.

Inhabitants of Norway -- riding a wave of prosperity thanks to its oil riches -- have twice rejected EU membership, in referendums held in 1972 and 1994.

Norway's left-wing coalition government, deeply divided on the issue, has ruled out any moves towards joining the bloc during its four-year term, which concludes in 2009.

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