Employment Rate in Norway increased to 69.80 percent in May from 69.30 percent in April of 2025. This dataset provides - Norway Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The employment rate in Norway decreased gradually from 2012 to 2020, before increasing slightly again in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the employment rate stood at 70.3 percent, which was the highest rate for the time under consideration. Men continuously accounted for the highest share of the workforce during this period. In 2022, the employment rate for men stood at 73.1 percent, whereas it was at 67.4 percent for women.

Increasing number of employees

Although the employment rate decreased until 2020, the number of employed people grew. Over the past year, the number of employed people remained relatively stable. Considering the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the pandemic had little effect on the number of employees in Norway. In 2022, there were 282 million people employed in Norway.

Large private sector

Most employees are employed in the private sector in Norway. In the third quarter of 2022, over 1.8 million people were employed in private companies or public enterprises. By comparison, most employees in the public sector worked in the local government.

Unemployment Rate in Norway increased to 4.60 percent in May from 4.40 percent in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Norway Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The number of employed people in Norway was approximately 2.89 million people in 2024. Between 1980 and 2024, the number rose by around 980 thousand people, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. From 2024 to 2026, the number will increase by about 50 thousand people.The indicator describes the number of employed people. This refers to persons who during a pre-defined period, either: a) performed wage or salary work, b) held a formal attachment to their job (even if not currently working), (c) performed for-profit work for personal or family gain , (d) were with an enterprise although temporarily not at work for any specific reason.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: From 15 to 64 Years for Norway (LREM64TTNOQ156S) from Q1 2000 to Q4 2024 about Norway, employment-population ratio, 15 to 64 years, employment, population, and rate.

Norway Employment Rate data was reported at 69.200 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 69.500 % for Jan 2025. Norway Employment Rate data is updated monthly, averaging 69.200 % from Jan 2009 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 194 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.900 % in Jun 2009 and a record low of 66.400 % in Dec 2016. Norway Employment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G021: Employment Rate: Labor Force Survey.

The unemployment rate in Norway increased by 0.4 percentage points (+11.2 percent) compared to the previous year. In total, the unemployment rate amounted to 3.97 percent in 2024. The unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce that is currently not working but is actively searching for work. It does not include the economically inactive population, such as the long-term unemployed, those aged under 15 years, or retired persons.Find more key insights for the unemployment rate in countries like Sweden and Finland.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Male: From 15 to 64 Years for Norway (LREM64MANOQ156N) from Q2 1999 to Q4 2024 about Norway, employment-population ratio, 15 to 64 years, males, employment, population, and rate.

Norway Employment Rate: Female data was reported at 67.000 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 67.200 % for Jan 2025. Norway Employment Rate: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 66.900 % from Jan 2009 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 194 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 70.300 % in Mar 2009 and a record low of 64.400 % in Jan 2021. Norway Employment Rate: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G021: Employment Rate: Labor Force Survey.

Norway Employment Rate: Male data was reported at 71.300 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 71.700 % for Jan 2025. Norway Employment Rate: Male data is updated monthly, averaging 71.200 % from Jan 2009 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 194 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.300 % in Aug 2023 and a record low of 67.800 % in Dec 2016. Norway Employment Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G021: Employment Rate: Labor Force Survey.

Over the past decade, the employment rate in Norway was consistently higher for men than for women. In 2022, 73.1 percent of men and 67.4 percent of women in working age were employed. The employment rate in Norway increased slightly from 2012 to 2020, but then increased again in 2021 and 2022.

The income gap

Not only do women face lower employment than men, but a significant gender pay gap also persists in Norway. Based on the average monthly salary in both the public and private sectors, men generally earn a higher wage than women. In 2021, the difference amounted to around seven thousand Norwegian kroner for employees in the private sector as well as in the central government. Compared to other European countries, Norway's gender pay gap was just below the average in the European Union.

Female top managers

Gender discrimination is also measurable by looking at those holding higher positions. While men continue to dominate leadership positions, the number of women in top manager positions increased slightly over the past years. Among the 200 largest companies in Norway, energy supply companies had the highest share of female managers in 2021. The materials sector, on the other hand, had the lowest share.

In Norway, the employment rate fell below 67 percent in the second quarter of 2020 after the outbreak of COVID-19. It lay just above 67 percent until the second quarter of 2021, when it increased to 69 percent. By the third quarter of 2022, it had reached over 70 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Female: From 15 to 64 Years for Norway (LREM64FENOQ156S) from Q1 2000 to Q4 2024 about Norway, employment-population ratio, 15 to 64 years, females, employment, population, and rate.

Key information about Norway Unemployment Rate

• Norway Unemployment Rate dropped to 3.90% in Dec 2024, from the previously reported figure of 4.00% in Nov 2024.
• Norway Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1989 to Dec 2024, with an average rate of 4.00%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 6.80% in Sep 1993 and a record low of 2.60% in Apr 2008.
• The data is reported by reported by Statistics Norway.
• In the latest reports, Norway Population reached 5.37 million people in Dec 2019.

The unemployment rate in Norway stands at 4.4 percent according to the latest data from . That reading shows a decrease from the level of 4.7 percent in the previous month and an increase from the level of 4.3 percent in the same month of the previous year. The unemployment rate data in Norway...

Unsurprisingly, the employment rate in Norway was highest among people between 25 and 54 years of age. 84.5 percent of people in this age group were employed in 2022. Meanwhile, the employment rate among youth and young adults as well as the elderly population was over 50 percent. The employment rate in Norway is higher among men than among women.

Norway Employment Rate: Female: 25-74 Years data was reported at 68.100 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 68.200 % for Jan 2025. Norway Employment Rate: Female: 25-74 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 69.100 % from Jan 2009 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 194 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 72.500 % in Mar 2009 and a record low of 66.800 % in Jan 2021. Norway Employment Rate: Female: 25-74 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G021: Employment Rate: Labor Force Survey.

Long Term Unemployment Rate in Norway decreased to 0.60 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 0.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Norway Long Term Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Norway increased to 14.10 percent in May from 13.50 percent in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Norway Youth Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Norway NO: Employment Rate Gap data was reported at 0.895 % in 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.852 % for 2025. Norway NO: Employment Rate Gap data is updated yearly, averaging -0.132 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2026, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.932 % in 2008 and a record low of -2.095 % in 2004. Norway NO: Employment Rate Gap data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.OECD.EO: Employment and Unemployment: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual.