The number of people registered as out of work in Norway edged down to a seasonally adjusted 62.1 thousand in May 2026 from 62.2 thousand in the previous month. It marks the lowest level since April 2025, corresponding to 2.1% of the workforce. Unemployment was broadly stable across most occupational groups, with the lowest rates recorded among academic professions and health, nursing and care occupations, both at 0.8%, while unemployment remained highest in tourism and transport at 2.8%. Regionally, Troms recorded the lowest jobless rate at 1.3%, while it was highest in Oslo, where 2.6% was registered as fully unemployed. Meanwhile, labor demand remained strong, with 49 thousand vacancies advertised in May, equivalent to 2,300 openings per working day, which represented a 33% increase compared to a year ago and the highest level since April 2022. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the number of fully unemployed people declined to 58.3 thousand in May from 62.4 thousand in April. source: Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation

The number of unemployed persons in Norway decreased to 62137 in May of 2026 from 62175 in April of 2026. Unemployed Persons in Norway averaged 90386.39 from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 286478.00 in March of 2020 and a record low of 38220.00 in April of 1987. This page provides - Norway Unemployed Persons - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Norway Unemployed Persons - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-30 06:00 AM
Unemployed Persons
Apr 61.9K 62.3K 62.6K
2026-05-29 06:00 AM
Unemployed Persons
May 62.1K 61.9K 62.3K
2026-07-03 06:00 AM
Unemployed Persons
Jun 62.1K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 2937.00 2918.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Change 0.20 0.20 percent Mar 2026
Employment Rate 70.20 69.70 percent Apr 2026
Full Time Employment 2132.50 2148.70 Thousand Dec 2025
Job Vacancies 106700.00 74000.00 Mar 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 73.60 73.30 percent Apr 2026
Labour Costs 134.05 131.42 points Mar 2026
Long Term Unemployment Rate 0.70 0.60 percent Dec 2025
Part Time Employment 634.70 632.40 Thousand Dec 2025
Population 5.59 5.55 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 107.84 108.20 points Dec 2025
Registered Jobless Rate 1.90 2.10 percent May 2026
Retirement Age Men 62.00 62.00 Years Dec 2026
Retirement Age Women 62.00 62.00 Years Dec 2026
Unemployed Persons 62137.00 62175.00 May 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.60 4.90 percent Apr 2026
Wage Growth 4.41 4.87 percent Mar 2026
Wages 63630.00 61090.00 NOK/Month Mar 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 63510.00 61360.00 NOK/Month Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 11.20 14.90 percent Apr 2026


Norway Unemployed Persons
In Norway, unemployed persons are individuals who are without a job and actively seeking to work.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
62137.00 62175.00 286478.00 38220.00 1983 - 2026 Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
Norway Jobseekers Lowest in 13 Months
The number of people registered as out of work in Norway edged down to a seasonally adjusted 62.1 thousand in May 2026 from 62.2 thousand in the previous month. It marks the lowest level since April 2025, corresponding to 2.1% of the workforce. Unemployment was broadly stable across most occupational groups, with the lowest rates recorded among academic professions and health, nursing and care occupations, both at 0.8%, while unemployment remained highest in tourism and transport at 2.8%. Regionally, Troms recorded the lowest jobless rate at 1.3%, while it was highest in Oslo, where 2.6% was registered as fully unemployed. Meanwhile, labor demand remained strong, with 49 thousand vacancies advertised in May, equivalent to 2,300 openings per working day, which represented a 33% increase compared to a year ago and the highest level since April 2022. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the number of fully unemployed people declined to 58.3 thousand in May from 62.4 thousand in April.
2026-05-29
Norway Jobseekers at 1-Year Low
The number of people registered as out of work in Norway fell to a seasonally adjusted 61.9 thousand in April 2026 from 62.3 thousand in the previous month. This marks the lowest level since April 2025, corresponding to 2.1% of the workforce. Unemployment declined in most occupational groups, with the lowest rate among academic professions (0.8% of the workforce), and the highest in tourism and transport (3.1%). Regionally, Troms and Nordland recorded the lowest jobless rate at 1.3% and 1.6%, respectively, while Østfold was the highest at 2.7%. Meanwhile, 52,200 vacancies were advertised in April, equivalent to 2,000 per working day, which is 10% lower than a year ago. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the number of fully unemployed people decreased to 62.4 thousand in April from 65.4 thousand in March.
2026-04-30
Norway Jobseekers Rise in March
The number of people registered as out of work in Norway rose to a seasonally adjusted 62.31 thousand in March 2026 from an upwardly revised 62.28 thousand in the previous month. This marks the first increase in unemployment after three consecutive months of decline, and corresponds to 2.1% of the workforce. Unemployment showed only minor changes across most occupations, with the highest rate in construction (3.5% of the workforce), and the lowest among teaching, academic professions and brokers and consultants (3%). Regionally, Østfold recorded the lowest jobless rate at 2.9%, while Troms and Nordland were the lowest at 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, 54,300 vacancies were advertised in March, equivalent to 2,100 per working day, which is 22% higher than a year ago. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the number of fully unemployed people decreased to 65.3 thousand in March from 66.8 thousand in February.
2026-03-27