The employment rate among the working-age population currently stands at approximately 70%, one of its highest levels since 2012. The youth population (aged 15-24) has seen a particularly strong increase in employment since the end of 2021.
A high employment rate compared to other countries
Compared to other industrialised countries, Norway has a high employment rate, standing at almost 9 percentage points higher than EU27 average as of Q2 2023 overall.
It is worth noting that this number for Norway is slightly different from the seasonally adjusted monthly number mentioned previously, as this data is based on the latest quarterly data for international comparisons.
A low and stable temporary employment rate
Temporary employment rates vary significantly between countries, reflecting different labor market policies and regulations. The latest data from 2022 shows that Norway had a temporary employment rate of around 8.5%, which is lower than the average rate of 11.3% for OECD-countries. Norway’s temporary employment rate is also significantly lower than the rates in Denmark (10.8%), Sweden (15.7%), and Finland (17.2%).
The temporary employment rate in Norway has been relatively stable over time, fluctuating around 7% as measured in Q4 for the last 10 years. The current temporary employment rate in Norway is approximately the same as it was in 2012.
Temporary employment is much more common among younger age groups. Over the past ten years, data for Q4 2022 shows that the temporary employment rate for youth stood at around 25%. This rate is over three times as high as the average for the population as a whole.
About the data
Data on employment are from Statistics Norway "Labour force survey seasonally-adjusted figures". New data are published monthly as a three-month moving average.
International data on employment and temporary employment are from the OECD.
The employment rate among the working-age population currently stands at approximately 70%. Despite decreasing slighthly over the past months, the employment rate remains at one of its highest levels since 2012. The youth population (aged 15-24) has seen a particularly strong increase in employment since the end of 2021.
A high employment rate compared to other countries
Compared to other industrialised countries, Norway has a high employment rate, standing at almost 10 percentage points higher than EU27 average as of Q4 2022. Norway currently has the fifth highest employment rate for men and the fouth highest female employment rate for women.
It is worth noting that this number for Norway is slightly different from the seasonally adjusted monthly number mentioned previously, as this data is based on quarterly measurements.
A low and stable temporary employment rate
Temporary employment rates vary significantly between countries, reflecting different labor market policies and regulations. In 2021, Norway had a temporary employment rate of around 9%, which is lower than the average rate of 12% for OECD-countries. Norway's temporary employment rate is also significantly lower than the rates in Denmark (11%), Sweden (15%), and Finland (16%).
The temporary employment rate in Norway has been relatively stable over time, fluctuating around 7% as measured in Q4 for the last 10 years. The current temporary employment rate in Norway is approximately the same as it was in 2012.
Temporary employment is much more common among younger age groups. Over the past ten years, data for Q4 2022 shows that the temporary employment rate for youth stood at around 25%. This rate is over three times as high as the average for the population as a whole.
About the data
Data on employment are from Statistics Norway "Labour force survey seasonally-adjusted figures". New data are published monthly as a three-month moving average.
Data on temporary employment are from Statistics Norway "Labour force survey". New data are published quarterly.
International data on employment and temporary employment are from the OECD.