One in six bothered by traffic noise

Over 16 per cent of Norway's population are bothered by noise from road traffic in their homes. This corresponds to about 550,000 persons, according to statistics in the level of living survey, which includes people over the age of 16.

In 1995 the percentage bothered by noise from road traffic was 13 per cent, while last year it rose to 16 per cent. Twelve per cent were bothered last year by aircraft noise, with nearly 15 per cent saying that the noise was very or somewhat bothersome.

There were only small changes from 1983 to 1995 in the percentage who felt that they were bothered by noise. From 1995 to 1997, however, the percentage rose sharply, from 17 to 28 per cent. In 1997, 22 per cent of the adult population also said that their windows, sills or curtains were dirtied by air pollution.

Not surprisingly, Oslo residents are more bothered than the rest of the population. Around seven per cent of the population in Oslo over 16 years of age, or 29,000 people, have problems sleeping because of noise. On a national basis the percentage was five per cent. Eleven per cent of Oslo residents air out their dwellings less than they would like to because of air pollution, while the national percentage is six per cent.

New Statistics

Level of Living Survey, 1997.

For more information, contact: Gisle Haakonsen, tel. +47 21 09 44 71, e-mail: gisle.haakonsen@ssb.no, Anett C. Hansen, tel. +47 21 09 48 21, e-mail: anett.christin.hansen@ssb.no, or Arne S. Andersen, tel. +47 21 09 46 71, e-mail: arne.andersen@ssb.no.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 14, 1998