More and more immigrants in Norway are working. Changes are mainly visible among the young
Employment is rising among young adults with immigrant backgrounds in Norway. The largest increase is seen among people aged 25–39. This change is influenced by age structure, higher education levels, and job growth in selected industries.
Young people who come to Norway or were born here in an immigrant family are increasingly choosing to take up legal employment.
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At the end of 2024, the employment rate was 85 percent among people without an immigrant background, 79 percent among those born in Norway to immigrant parents, and 66 percent among immigrants. Excluding Ukrainian refugees from the group, immigrants reached a rate of 69 percent.
Between 2015 and 2024, the increase was 2.4, 6.0, and 8.3 percentage points respectively, and the gap between the first two groups narrowed to just over 6.0 percentage points. The strongest job growth was recorded in health care and social services, as well as in trade, transport, business services, and industry, where the role of immigrants and people from immigrant families was particularly visible.
Between 2015 and 2024, the increase was 2.4, 6.0, and 8.3 percentage points respectively, and the gap between the first two groups narrowed to just over 6.0 percentage points. The strongest job growth was recorded in health care and social services, as well as in trade, transport, business services, and industry, where the role of immigrants and people from immigrant families was particularly visible.
Women's labor force participation is increasing
Among those born in Norway to immigrant parents, women's labor force participation grew faster, which Statistics Norway (SSB) links to a significant increase in higher education in this group. In 2024, among immigrants, the gender gap remained at 12 percentage points, regardless of length of stay or country of origin.
Regionally, the strongest increases were recorded among immigrants from Africa and those born in Norway with Latin American and Asian backgrounds. The indicator for Europe outside the EU/EFTA/United Kingdom was lowered by the influx of refugees from Ukraine, but after excluding them, it reached 77 percent.
Regionally, the strongest increases were recorded among immigrants from Africa and those born in Norway with Latin American and Asian backgrounds. The indicator for Europe outside the EU/EFTA/United Kingdom was lowered by the influx of refugees from Ukraine, but after excluding them, it reached 77 percent.
Labor force participation among people (from left): born in Norway, born in Norway with an immigrant background, immigrants.Ill. SSB/data refers to people aged 25-39.
The data confirms a clear improvement in employment between 2015 and 2024 among young adults with an immigrant background. At the same time, the differences compared to people without such a background and the variation in results by gender and region of origin are decreasing.
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