Norwegians Are Changing Their Minds About Refugees. New Data Shows a Clear Shift
Norwegians are looking at accepting refugees and asylum seekers with greater caution. In a 2026 survey, 32% of respondents said that obtaining residency should be more difficult. In 2023, only 9% held this opinion.
The answers are not the same.
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The survey was published on June 23, 2026. The data comes from a report on attitudes towards immigrants and immigration, prepared by Statistics Norway (SSB). About half of those surveyed still believe that the rules should remain as they are today. This has been the most common response in this survey for 16 years.
More Barriers, Less Support for Easier Access
SSB points to a clear change over the past three years. The share of people supporting stricter rules increased from 9% in 2023 to 32% in 2026—a rise of 23 percentage points. At the same time, the group in favor of easier access to residency is small.
Only 7% of respondents believe that refugees and asylum seekers should have an easier time obtaining residency in Norway. SSB advisor Erling Kvalø notes that in 2023, 22% of respondents chose this answer. This means a drop of 15 percentage points in two years. A similarly low result for this answer was last recorded in 2013.
Only 7% of respondents believe that refugees and asylum seekers should have an easier time obtaining residency in Norway. SSB advisor Erling Kvalø notes that in 2023, 22% of respondents chose this answer. This means a drop of 15 percentage points in two years. A similarly low result for this answer was last recorded in 2013.
Assessment of Norway's migration policy depends, among other things, on the gender of respondents.Photo: Fotolia.com
Refugees in Norway: Does Support Depend on Gender?
The survey shows differences between women and men. 42% of men believe that refugees and asylum seekers should have a harder time obtaining residency in Norway. Among women, 23% share this opinion—a difference of 19 percentage points.
Women are more likely to view immigrants' impact on cultural life positively. 80% of women and 65% of men agree that immigrants enrich cultural life in Norway. Answers differ regarding adaptation to Norwegian society: 47% of men and 28% of women agree that immigrants should try to be as similar to Norwegians as possible.
Women are more likely to view immigrants' impact on cultural life positively. 80% of women and 65% of men agree that immigrants enrich cultural life in Norway. Answers differ regarding adaptation to Norwegian society: 47% of men and 28% of women agree that immigrants should try to be as similar to Norwegians as possible.
A positive attitude remains in the area of employment. 89% of respondents agree that immigrants should have the same employment opportunities as Norwegians. 77% believe that immigrants do useful work, and 68% say that labor immigration from outside the Nordic countries mostly has a positive impact on the Norwegian economy.
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