(Updated February 2011)
The registered unemployment rate for Norway has decreased slightly during the last year due to positive developments in the Norwegian and international economic situation over the past year. As of January 2011 the rate is 3.1 % of the work force and is expected to remain stable during 2011.
There has also been an increase in the number of vacancies registered by NAV the past year, and a recent survey of employers has shown that the demand for labour both within Norway and from other countries is expected to continue to rise slightly in the near future. Most occupational categories have registered more vacancies during the past year, but the greatest increases in vacancies the last year has been within bulding and construction sector, heavy industry as well as in engineering and ICT.
The public sector has however seen a reduction in the number of vacancies, especially in the educational sector with fewer positions being advertised for teachers and youth workers..But unemployment is still relatively low in Norway compared to many other countries and in both public and private sector the number of job vacancies iis expected to increase somewhat in the coming year.
The lowest unemployment rate is registered in the county of Sogn og Fjordane on the west coast of Norway (approx. 2,4 %). The highest rate is found in the southern counties of Oslo, Østfold and Aust-Agder (approx. 3,9-4,0 %).
The demand for unskilled workers in Norway is not expected to rise in the coming year, but some sectors are expected to experience a continuing demand for highly skilled workers:
