Norwegian Benefits Under Scrutiny? Government Admits NAV Is Not Functioning Properly

The Norwegian government wants to assess whether the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) is carrying out its tasks effectively enough. This concerns both job activation and timely assistance for those in need of support. The review aims to identify areas that require changes. The planned work was announced on January 13, 2026.

Twenty years have passed since the NAV reform. The government emphasizes that despite positive aspects, the system is not functioning fully properly. Long processing times are being pointed out. The complex legislation is also problematic.

At the same time, a group is already working on simplifying the National Insurance Act. It is to become easier to understand and more digitally accessible. The conclusions of both teams will form the basis for further decisions. The goal is to develop the administration of labor and benefits in Norway.

Experts will primarily look at the tasks NAV will carry out in the coming years. The population will age. The number of pensioners will increase by 25 percent by 2035. This will change the scale and nature of the cases handled.

Despite digitalization progress, many processes still require manual work. At the same time, a labor shortage is forecasted. NAV serves 2.9 million residents of Norway annually. The government recognizes that changes must be based on real data and their analysis.

The work will be divided into two phases. First, a report will be prepared based on analyses and data. Then, possible corrective actions will be assessed. Experts will have about a year and a half for this. At the same time, a reference group with the participation of social partners will be established.