Housing and housing conditions
Figures from population and housing censuses
In connection with the censuses some information about housing conditions in Norway has been collected since 1865, but more comprehensive statistics on housing conditons were first compiled in the census of 1920. The next time such statistics were produced was in connection with the census in 1946. In the censuses of 1980 and 1990 there were no reporting on houses; only information about dwellings where there were registered inhabitants in accordance with the Central Population Register.
From 1920 until 1990 the number of dwellings increased from a little above half a million to 1 3/4 million, more than three times as many. The figures indicate that the urbanization first of all led to a decrease in the share of dwellings at the farms, and an increase in the share of dwellings in houses with several dwellings, while the increase in standard of living in the last decade has resulted in an increase in detached houses. The part of the population living in detached houses increased from 25 per cent in 1960 to 50 per cent in 1990.
In 1920 an average of 4.8 persons lived in each dwelling. The comparable figure was 3.3 in 1960 and 2.4 in 1990. Calculated per room (including a kitchen of at least 6 m2) the figure was 1.2 in 1920 and 0.5 in 1990.
Surveys on housing conditions
Surveys on housing conditions have been conducted as sample censuses in 1967, 1973, 1981 and 1988. The surveys give information about households, the size and standard of the dwellings and about living expenses. There have been some changes in the censuses over time, among other things, the basis for the division in types of household have been changed.
In 1967 3/4 of the households had a refrigerator. The part that had washing machine was, like the part with own WC, close to 70 per cent. As soon as in 1981 these shares increased to 90 per cent or more. The share of the households with their own bathroom increased from 55 per cent in 1967 to 95 in 1988.
The housing expenses increased more than ten times from 1966 to 1987. This was partly due to the wage and price increase in the period, and partly due to a rise in the share of total consumption expenditure used for rent, fuel and power. This share increased from 11.7 to 23.4 per cent. All in all, the dwelling standard increased considerably from 1966 to 1987.