Labour Market Information: Norway

National level - Norway

^{* The years referenced in this report vary, as the data is based on the most up-to-date information available for each indicator, as of December 2024.}

Labour market

As of 1 January 2024, about 5.6 million people lived in Norway. The gross domestic product per inhabitant was EUR 78 700 in 2021, 122.3% higher than the average of EUR 35 400 per inhabitant in the EU27. Between 2018 and 2021, the GDP per capita increased by 12%.

^{Note: nama_10r_2gdp, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

In 2023, more than 3 million people were active on the labour market in Norway. The employment rate was 77.4%, 7 percentage points higher than the EU27 average and 2.6 percentage points higher compared to 2018. In 2023, for women, the employment rate was 75.3%, for men, the employment rate was 79.4%, and for youth, the employment rate was 58.5%, all above the EU average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, data refer to working age population (15-64), youth age group (15-24)  Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

In 2023, the unemployment rate was nearly matching the level registered in 2022. In 2023, the unemployment rate has not yet returned to the level before the pandemic, when it equalled 3.9% in 2018, and 3.8% in 2019. The unemployment rate is consistently below the EU27 average. In 2023, it was 2.4 percentage points lower in Norway than in the EU27.

In 2023, 77.9% of the active workforce were from Norway, 9.1% from other EU Member States and 13 from third countries. In the EU27, as of 2023, the highest proportion of the workforce comes from the respective country (85% on average), while on average a smaller portion is from foreign countries (4.3% from other EU Member States, and 10.5% from third countries).

In 2022, most employees worked in wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (20.1%), followed by construction (14.2%), manufacturing (11.5%) and professional, scientific and technical activities (8.8%). In terms of number of enterprises, most can be found in professional, scientific and technical activities (14.1%), construction (13.6%), and real estate activities (12.8%).

In Norway, the highest proportion of employees (31.6%) worked in large companies with more than 250 employees. These companies accounted for only 0.2% of all enterprises in the country, with just 786 of such businesses. 24.1% of persons employed worked in micro companies with up to 9 employees, 19.1% of persons employed worked in medium companies with 50 to 249 employees, 13.9% of persons employed worked in small companies with 20 to 49 employees and 11.2% of persons employed worked in small companies with 10 to 19 employees.

Vacancies

In 2024, in Norway, the occupational groups with the highest occurrence of shortage occupations were: building and related trades workers (excluding electricians), science and engineering professionals and teaching professionals. On the other hand, the occupational groups with the highest occurrence of surplus occupations were cleaners and helpers, labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport and numerical and material recording clerks.

Read more about labour shortages and surpluses in Europe: Labour shortages and surpluses in Europe 2023 | European Labour Authority (europa.eu)

Job vacancy rate

Regarding the job vacancy rate (defined as the number of job vacancies expressed as a percentage of the total sum of occupied posts and job vacancies), in 2023 this was 3.7 % in the industry, construction and services, nearly matching the EU27 average. This rate has increased by 0.3 percentage points compared to 2022 and it is still above the situation before 2020, when it stood only at 2.5%.

^{Note: jvs_a_rate_r2, Statistics | Eurostat}

The sectors with the highest vacancy rates were human health and social work activities; education; arts, entertainment and recreation; public administration and defence; compulsory social security; administrative and support services.

^{Note: jvs_a_rate_r2, Statistics | Eurostat}

Widely used job portals

Wages

Minimum wage

As of 2024, Norway did not have a statutory minimum wage.

Monthly average gross and net earnings

In 2023, the gross average earnings of a single person stood at EUR 5308, while the EU27 average was EUR 3417. The equivalent net wage was EUR 3 816 in Norway, compared to EUR 2351 in the EU27. Compared to 2018, gross average earnings increased by 3.5% in Norway and by 19.8% in the EU27. During the same period, the net wages have increased by 2.4% in Norway and by 22.1% in the EU27.

^{Note: earn_nt_net, Single person earning 100% average, annual rates transformed into 12 monthly payments. Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

Trends

Go directly to Ageing workforce | Flexible work arrangements | Immigration | Insufficient number of jobseekers with the required skills | Outmigration | Remote work | Workers with disabilities

Ageing workforce

Population growth will occur among the oldest. More people will demand health and care services, even with the assumption of healthier aging Fewer working-age individuals per pensioner, even with the assumption that older people will work longer (Source: Ministry of Finance’s Perspective Report 2024)

Flexible work arrangements (related to e.g. working time, place of work or type of contract)

The use of flexible work arrangements in Norway has increased significantly in recent years. Here are some key points:

• Flexible working hours: Nearly half of employees in Norway now have a flexitime arrangement. From 2007 to 2017, the proportion of employees with flexitime increased by 12 percentage points. Flexitime allows employees to adjust the start and end times of their workday within certain limits.
• Flexible workplace: The ability to work from home or other locations has also become more common. This was especially evident during the pandemic when many employees had to work from home. This trend seems to be continuing, with many companies now offering more flexible workplace solutions.
• Type of contract: There has also been an increase in the use of temporary contracts and part-time work. This provides greater flexibility for both employers and employees but can also lead to uncertainty for employees. These changes reflect a general trend towards greater flexibility in the workplace, which can contribute to a better work-life balance for many employees. (Sources: FAFO, Arbeidsliv.no, Regjeringen.no)

Immigration (from the EU, from third countries)

In 2023, 86 589 people immigrated to Norway. (Source: Statistics Norway)

Insufficient number of jobseekers with the required skills

There are challenges in recruiting across various sectors and industries. However, as in other countries within the EURES cooperation, it is very challenging to obtain a reliable picture showing the surplus and shortage of labour with the required skills. Going forward, demographic changes will affect the size of the workforce, making it challenging and perhaps impossible to meet recruitment needs in all sectors and industries. This situation is expected to be similar in many «EURES countries”.

Outmigration

In 2023, 34 011 people emigrated from Norway. (Source: Statistics Norway)

Remote work

The incidence of remote work has been gradually increasing in Norway between 2018 and 2023, from 5.5% to 6.5%. Similarly, the share of remote work as measured by ‘sometimes’ has increased from 5.9% to 35.3%. The increase in the incidence of remote work was exceptionally high during the pandemic.

^{Note: lfsa_ehomp, Product - Datasets - Eurostat}

Workers with disabilities

In Norway, there are several initiatives and strategies to increase workforce participation, including for people with disabilities. Here are some of the key ones:

• Inkluderingsdugnaden: This is a national initiative aimed at including more people in the workforce, especially those furthest from the labour market, including people with disabilities.
• NAV’s (PES) measures and programs: NAV offers a range of measures and programs to help people with disabilities enter the workforce. This includes work-oriented measures, workplace accommodations, and financial support.
• Strategy for Equality of Persons with Disabilities (2020-2030): This strategy from the Norwegian government focuses on promoting equality and inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of society, including the workforce.
• Collaboration with the business sector: There are also several collaborative projects between public agencies and private companies to promote inclusion in the workforce. For example, several companies have entered into agreements to hire people with disabilities and provide adapted workplaces.

Innlandet

With 373 628 inhabitants, Innlandet represented about 6.8% of the population in Norway in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Innlandet was 147.1% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 240.7%.

• Labor Market: Centered around agriculture, forestry, and industrial production, with a smaller, more localized labour force. 
• Key Sectors: Agriculture, forestry, manufacturing. 
• Major Employers: Agricultural cooperatives, food processing companies, and regional industrial firms.

In 2023, more than 194 800 people were active in the labour market in Innlandet. 37.9% had tertiary education, 40.4% had secondary education, and 21% had primary education. The employment rate in Innlandet was 56.1 % in 2023, 7.2 percentage points lower than the national average in Norway and 3 percentage points lower compared to 2022.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 55.5%, men had an employment rate of 56.7%, and for the youth the employment rate was 60.3%. The employment rates for women and men were below the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was above the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Innlandet was 3% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Vacancies

25 010 (new vacancies Jan – oct 2024)

Shortages

Nurses, health care assistants, Specialist Medical Practitioners

Surpluses

/

Trøndelag

With 478 470 inhabitants, Trøndelag represented about 8.7% of the population in Norway in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Trøndelag was 169.1% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 240.7%.

• Labor Market: A mix of urban opportunities in Trondheim and rural agricultural and industrial jobs. 
• Key Sectors: Technology, education, aquaculture, and agriculture. 
• Major Employers: NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), aquaculture companies, and manufacturing firms.

In 2023, more than 261 400 people were active in the labour market in Trøndelag. 45.7% had tertiary education, 37% had secondary education, and 17.1% had primary education. The employment rate in Trøndelag was 61.2 % in 2023, 2.1 percentage points lower than the national average in Norway and 3.2 percentage points lower compared to 2022.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 56.5%, men had an employment rate of 66.3%, and for the youth the employment rate was 56%, all below the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Trøndelag was 3.5% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Vacancies

38 156 (new vacancies Jan – oct 2024)

Shortages

Nurses, health care assistant, specialist medical practitioners

Surpluses

/

Northern Norway (Nord-Norge)

With 483 536 inhabitants, Northern Norway represented about 8.8% of the population in Norway in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Northern Norway was 165.7% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 240.7%.

• Labor Market: Focused on resource-based industries with a growing emphasis on tourism and green energy. 
• Key Sectors: Fisheries, tourism, mining, and renewable energy. 
• Major Employers: Fishery companies, tourism operators, and energy firms (including wind power).

In 2023, more than 259 100 people were active in the labour market in Northern Norway. 40.6% had tertiary education, 36.7% had secondary education, and 21.6% had primary education. The employment rate in Northern Norway was 60.4 % in 2023, 2.9 percentage points lower than the national average in Norway and in line with 2022 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 59.7%, men had an employment rate of 61%, and for the youth the employment rate was 63%. The employment rates for women and men were below the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was above the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Northern Norway was 2.8% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Vacancies

48 862 (new vacancies Jan – oct 2024)

Shortages

Nurses, health care assistants, specialist medical practitioners, cooks, primary school teachers

Surpluses

/

Oslo and Viken (Oslo og Viken)

With 2 001 278 inhabitants, Oslo and Viken represented about 36.5% of the population in Norway in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Oslo and Viken was 207% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 240.7%.

• Labor Market: Highly dynamic with diverse opportunities, especially in professional services, technology, and administration. 
• Key Sectors: Finance, technology, public administration, and cultural industries. 
• Major Employers: Government institutions, multinational companies, and universities.

In 2023, more than 1 134 100 people were active in the labour market in Oslo and Viken. 51.8% had tertiary education, 30.5% had secondary education, and 16.7% had primary education. The employment rate in Oslo and Viken was 66 % in 2023, 2.7 percentage points higher than the national average in Norway and in line with 2022 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 60.6%, men had an employment rate of 71.6%, and for the youth the employment rate was 56.9%. The employment rates for women and men were above the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was below the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Oslo and Viken was 3.9% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Vacancies

158 147 (new vacancies Jan – oct 2024)

Shortages

Electricians, cooks, nurses, health care assistants

Surpluses

/

Agder and South-East Norway (Agder og Sør-Østlandet)

With 745 152 inhabitants, Agder and South-East Norway represented about 13.6% of the population in Norway in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Agder and South-East Norway was 149.8% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 240.7%.

• Labor Market: Mixed, with strong maritime and industrial sectors alongside a growing service industry. 
• Key Sectors: Oil and gas technology, renewable energy, shipbuilding and tourism. 
• Major Employers: Offshore technology firms, industrial clusters, and universities.

In 2023, more than 380 000 people were active in the labour market in Agder and South-East Norway. 41.1% had tertiary education, 37.6% had secondary education, and 20.7% had primary education. The employment rate in Agder and South-East Norway was 61.2 % in 2023, 2.1 percentage points lower than the national average in Norway and in line with 2022 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 59.7%, men had an employment rate of 62.7%, and for the youth the employment rate was 58.2%, all below the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Agder and South-East Norway was 3.6% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Vacancies

50 036 (new vacancies Jan – oct 2024)

Shortages

Nurses, health care assistants, Specialist Medical Practitioners, welders

Surpluses

/