Fewer workers from outside the Nordic countries arrived in 2025 than in any year since 2005. The numbers describe arrivals, not how many jobs are open.
Statistics Norway (SSB) published the article “Laveste arbeidsinnvandring på 20 år” (lowest labour immigration in 20 years) on 30 June 2026; SSB's page shows it was modified on 28 August 2026, when figures were corrected. According to SSB, 10,500 non-Nordic labour immigrants arrived in 2025, “det laveste antallet siden 2005”. Before 2015, arrivals were in some years well over 20,000.
The short version: Fewer people arrived to work in 2025, but that is a count of arrivals. It does not say how many positions employers are trying to fill, and it does not change what a person from outside the EU/EEA must show to get a permit.
SSB assigns each first-time non-Nordic immigrant a main reason for immigration, and it says the figures come from its own variable based on residence grounds in the immigration authority's registers, which does not directly mirror the legal registrations. Nordic citizens are left out because they do not need a residence permit to live or work in Norway. The article does not give a formal definition of “labour immigrant”, so we do not offer one.
A drop in arrivals can have many causes, and SSB's article does not say whether it reflects demand, supply or rules. For a view of where employers report difficulty recruiting, see our guide to jobs in demand in Norway. EU/EEA citizens can look for and take work without a work permit, as described in our guide on registering as an EU/EEA citizen. Citizens of other countries need a residence permit that fits their situation; start with work and residence permits: an overview and the skilled worker permit.
General information can help you understand Norway's labour market, but it cannot determine whether you personally qualify to work here. Your citizenship, current residence status, education, work experience and professional qualifications can all affect your options.
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