The crisis has reached Norway as well. Hunger increasingly affects children

Redakcja

28.10.2025 09:58

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The crisis has reached Norway as well. Hunger increasingly affects children

Single parents are facing the biggest challenges. stock.adobe.com/licencja standardowa

According to a SIFO report, the financial situation of many families in Norway has significantly worsened in recent years. The conditions are especially difficult for single parents, half of whom report that they cannot afford enough food for their children.

SIFO researchers have published their latest report commissioned by UNICEF Norway. The document indicates that the increase in the cost of living between 2022 and 2024 has particularly affected families with children. Data reveals that barnefamilier (families with children) more often than other households experienced a lack of resources to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, or heating their homes.

The problem was most acute in households with annual incomes below NOK 800,000. In this group, cases of material deprivation—meaning the inability to cover essential expenses—were much more common.

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Single parents in Norway facing difficulties

SIFO's analysis also showed that during the so-called 'dyrtiden', or years of high inflation, families with children had a noticeably lower level of food security. Single mothers and fathers in particular reported problems providing nutritious meals—half of them experienced marginal, low, or very low food stability.

The study emphasized that families with children had to rely more on food aid and also had to forgo full meals.

Official data indicating a leveling off and slight decrease in child poverty are based on income. However, times of high prices have caused a significant increase in many expenses, such as food, electricity, and housing. This means that the situation for many people is still difficult, and for many it has become even harder.~Elin Saga Kjørholt, UNICEF Director of Children's Rights, in an interview with VG.

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Children without a fair start?

The report's findings highlight that children living in poor households often face limitations in other areas of life as well. This includes participation in extracurricular activities, purchasing sports equipment, or spending time with peers.

Researchers noted a clear correlation between the lack of resources to meet the needs of the entire family and the ability to meet the needs of children—the fewer resources for adults, the lower the chances of meeting the needs of the youngest.