Immigrants by reason for immigration, 1 January 2013

In 2012, 56 600 immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship immigrated to Norway for the first time. Labour was the reason for immigration for 45 per cent of immigrants, and one third came because of family. Thirteen and 10 per cent came because of flight and studies respectively.

Reduced labour immigration

Labour immigration decreased by about 4 per cent from 2011 to 2012, but was still one of the highest levels ever recorded. A total of 25 500 persons from non-Nordic countries immigrated due to labour in 2012. Two thirds of these came from the new EU countries, and almost half of these were from Poland.

Family immigration hits record high

Family immigration in 2012 was the highest ever recorded. A total of 18 100 persons immigrated for family reasons. Half of these came from Africa, Asia, South and Central America, Europe except EU/EEA, and Oceania except Australia and New Zealand. One out of three came from the new EU countries.

More came due to flight

Compared with 2011, 1 900 more persons came to Norway due to flight, with a total of 7 100. Despite the increase, this group made up only 13 per cent of the non-Nordic immigrants in 2012. Most of this group were from Somalia (2 200), Eritrea (1 500) and Afghanistan (850).

Fewer immigrated for education

A total of 5 400 persons immigrated in 2012 due to education or cultural exchange. This was a slight decrease compared with the previous year. There were relatively many immigrants from the Philippines (1 340), China (340) and Spain (260). The number of registered persons for the Philippines is high because the au pair permit is also considered to be a type of education permit.

3 out of 4 still here

A total of 581 500 persons with non-Nordic citizenship immigrated to Norway between 1990 and 2012, and 76 per cent of these were still living in the country at the beginning of 2013.

The reason for immigration has a bearing on the degree to which they leave the country. Of those who immigrated due to flight, 84 per cent were still living in the country on 1 January 2013. The corresponding percentage for those who immigrated for education was just 43 per cent. A residence permit for students does not entitle them to a permanent residence permit.

The settlement pattern of labour migrants from the new EU countries has generated public interest. Among those who immigrated in 2005, immediately following the expansion of the EU, 65 per cent were still resident in Norway on 1 January 2013. As many as 98 per cent of labour immigrants who settled in Norway in 2011 were still living in the country at the beginning of 2013.