Norway: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Norway?

The unemployment rate was 4.5% of the labour force in August 2026, measured as a trend, according to Statistics Norway's Labour Force Survey. That was unchanged from July. 136,000 people aged 15 to 74 were unemployed, and 2,928,000 were employed.

The Labour Force Survey counts people who are out of work and actively seeking work, whether or not they are registered with NAV. NAV's count of registered jobseekers is lower because many unemployed people do not register. SSB publishes the survey monthly; the next update is due on 22 October 2026.

Official sources: SSB: Labour force survey

What is the average salary in Norway?

Average monthly earnings for full-time equivalent employees were NOK 62,070 in 2025, 4.5% more than in 2024, according to Statistics Norway's earnings statistics. Men earned NOK 65,610 a month on average and women NOK 57,690.

The figures are gross earnings before tax, converted to full-time equivalents. Averages are pulled up by high earners, so median earnings are lower. SSB publishes the annual earnings statistics in February; the next update is due on 4 February 2027.

Official sources: SSB: Earnings

Does Norway have a minimum wage?

Norway has no national minimum wage. Legal minimum wages apply in nine sectors, through the generalised application of collective agreements, according to the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. In other sectors no minimum wage is set by law.

Generalised application means a collective agreement's minimum pay is made binding by law for all workers in that sector, including foreign workers. The latest sector added is the automotive industry, where a minimum wage has applied since 15 June 2026; for unskilled workers aged 18 or over with at least one year's experience it is NOK 212.00 an hour. The Labour Inspection Authority lists the current rates for each of the nine sectors.

Official sources: Labour Inspection Authority: Minimum wage

What share of people work in Norway?

69.9% of people aged 15 to 74 were employed in August 2026, measured as a trend, according to Statistics Norway's Labour Force Survey. That was up 0.1 percentage points from July, and the number employed rose by 1,000 to 2,928,000.

The employment rate here covers the whole population aged 15 to 74, including students and early retirees, so it is lower than rates quoted for people aged 20 to 64. Anyone who did at least one hour of paid work in the survey week counts as employed. The trend series smooths out sampling noise in the monthly survey.

Official sources: SSB: Labour force survey

How much do workers in Norway earn on average?

$6,440 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Norway for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2012 it has ranged from $5,828 a month (2022) to $8,028 a month (2014). It is 5th highest of 32 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $3,252 a month. Worldwide: 5th of 57.

What is Norway's unemployment rate?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Norway was 4.6% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.5% (2007) to 4.7% (2016). It is 32nd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.5%. World rank, highest first: 98th of 174.

How many young people in Norway are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Norway at 13.4% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Norway is 26th highest of 47. Worldwide: 81st of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Norway?

65.6%: that is the labour force participation rate in Norway for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 60.3%; Norway is 7th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 53rd highest.

How many women in Norway are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Norway was 62.1%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 6th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 54.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 35th highest.

What is the employment rate in Norway?

62.6%: that is the employment to population ratio in Norway for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 7th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 56.6%. Worldwide: 53rd of 174.

How many workers in Norway are self-employed or family workers?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Norway was 4.2% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.0%; Norway is 47th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 167th highest.

What share of workers in Norway earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 95.1%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 92.5% (2006) to 95.1% (2021). It is 1st highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Worldwide: 4th of 174.