Highest ever net immigration

Norway's population growth in 1998 was the largest it has been in 25 years. Net immigration totalled 13,800, the highest figure ever recorded, and accounted for just over 50 per cent of the growth according to preliminary figures.

The growth in population is 2,800 higher than in 1997, and the increase is due to greater net immigration. Over the course of 1998, 36,500 persons moved to Norway while 22,700 moved abroad. This yielded a net immigration that is 3,600 higher than in 1997.

All counties reported a positive immigration balance. In 1998, more Norwegian citizens (10,900) moved from Norway than to Norway (9,900). Of other Nordic citizens, immigrants outnumbered emigrants by 5,100 in 1998. Swedish citizens accounted for 3,300 of the net immigration from the Nordic countries. Net immigration from other European Economic Area countries was 1,900, while it was 1,700 from the rest of Europe. Net immigration from the Third World (Africa, Asia, South and Central America and Turkey) totalled 6,700. This is about 1,900 higher than in 1997, and is the highest figure seen since 1989. Swedish citizens accounted for the highest net immigration followed by between 700 and 1,000 from each of the following countries: Iraq, Somalia, Finland, Denmark and Germany.

New statistics
Population statistics. Population 1 January 1999 and population changes in 4th quarter 1998.
The statistics are published quarterly in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics as well as in Current Population Statistics and Official Statistics of Norway (NOS) Regional Statistics. For more information contact: Kare.Reidar.Hoiby@ssb.no, tel. +47 62 88 52 97 or Kirsten.Enger.Dybendal@ssb.no, tel. +47 62 88 52 96.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 7, 1999