Ukrainians Are Doing Better in Norway. Significant Growth in the Labor Market
More and more Ukrainians are taking up work in Norway. The latest data show a significant rise in employment in 2025.
A particularly noticeable increase is seen in the hospitality and catering sectors.
Fot. Fotolia (zdjęcie poglądowe)
Over 40 percent of Ukrainians aged 20–66 who arrived in Norway after the Russian invasion were employed in December 2025. This amounts to about 21,000 people, according to Statistics Norway (SSB). The number of employed increased by around 6,900 compared to December 2024. This change is related both to the labor market and the migration situation.
Ukrainians in Norway. Clear Increase in Employment
In December 2025, a total of 26,880 migrants from Ukraine were working in Norway. About 80 percent of them arrived in the land of the fjords after February 2022. All individuals are registered as residents, meaning they have stayed for more than six months.
In December 2024, the employment rate in this group was 31 percent. Over the year, it rose to 42 percent. The improvement is mainly due to the increased number of people employed. At the same time, the influx of new migrants from Ukraine has clearly slowed down. The statistics do not include self-employed individuals.
In December 2024, the employment rate in this group was 31 percent. Over the year, it rose to 42 percent. The improvement is mainly due to the increased number of people employed. At the same time, the influx of new migrants from Ukraine has clearly slowed down. The statistics do not include self-employed individuals.
Ukrainians working in Norway. Migrants are marked in green, non-residents in black.Ill. SSB
Ukrainian Women Arriving in Norway. In Which Regions Do They Work?
About 60 percent of employed Ukrainians are women. Most employees are under 40 years old. People over the age of 55 make up about 4 percent of the workforce. The age structure remains stable nationwide.
Ukrainian men and women live in all Norwegian counties. The highest number of employed (in absolute terms) is in Vestland. The highest employment rate was recorded in Troms, where about half of settled Ukrainians work. Regional differences are significant and depend on the local labor market.
Ukrainian men and women live in all Norwegian counties. The highest number of employed (in absolute terms) is in Vestland. The highest employment rate was recorded in Troms, where about half of settled Ukrainians work. Regional differences are significant and depend on the local labor market.
Ukrainians arriving in Norway after February 2022 by labor market participation (blue), number of arrivals (green), and number employed (black). Data cover people aged 20-66.Ill. SSB
Most Ukrainians found employment in the hospitality and catering sectors, where about 15 percent of those who arrived after 2022 work. Retail trade and health and social care have a similar share. In total, in December 2025, around 27,100 Ukrainians were working in Norway, regardless of age or date of arrival. The vast majority of them are permanent residents.
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