Foreign citizens, 1 January 2003

197 670 foreign citizens lived in Norway 1 January 2003 and amounted to 4.3 per cent of the Norwegian population. However, half of the foreign citizens had not resided in Norway more than 3 years.

The number of African citizens increased by 2 750 persons or 19 per cent, to 17 400 whereas the number of Asians increased by 5 000 persons to 45 000. With an increase by 2 300 persons Iraqis had the largest increase, followed by Somalis who increased by 1 800 persons. Citizens from Afghanistan increased by 1 100 persons and measured in absolute figures, they represented the third largest increase. However, in relative terms Afghanistan citizens increased the most - by 62 per cent.

Most of the foreign citizens - about 51 400 persons - lived in Oslo. With 24 700 Akershus is the county with second most foreign citizens. 14 900 foreign citizens resided in Rogaland. In Oslo and Akershus we also find the largest relative number of foreign citizens - with 9.9 and 5.1 per cent respectively of the population. Only few foreign citizens live in Nord-Trøndelag - not only in total figures (2 500) but also in proportion to its inhabitants (1.9 per cent).

Compared with foreigners from other parts of the world it is more likely for Africans to live in Oslo. Almost 37 per cent of all Africans live in the capital - whereas only 22 per cent of Europeans live there.

One out of four is Scandinavian

Roughly 60 per cent of the 197 670 foreign citizens in Norway are Europeans. Asians are the second largest group; they make up 23 per cent. Africans amount to almost 9 per cent, whereas citizens from North- and Middle America represent 5.5 per cent of all foreign citizens.

Swedes and Danes are the largest groups of foreign citizens in Norway. Approximately one out of four foreigners is Scandinavian. Iraqis make up the third largest group of foreign citizens with 7 per cent.

Few old persons

Almost half of the foreign citizens are between 20 and 39 years old. About a quarter is less than 20 years. One out of three foreigners is older than 40 years and only 4 per cent are older than 67 years. On average 51 per cent of the foreign citizens are women. Nevertheless, we can find large differences between several countries. We notice for example a large majority of Greek men - 77 per cent of all Greek citizens are males. On the other hand there is a considerable majority of women from countries like Thailand, The Philippines and Estonia. More than 80 per cent from these countries are women.

Live in the largest cities

Approximately a quarter of all foreign citizens live in Oslo. In Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger also live a high amount of foreigners - in absolute figures. In proportion to the population Båtsfjord in Finnmark has the highest portion of foreign citizens, 14.4 per cent. In Oslo are 9.9 per cent of the population foreign citizens, and in Fjaler (Sogn og Fjordane) foreigners represent 9.4 per cent of the population. Leka (Nord-Trøndelag) has the lowest portion of foreign citizens, 0.3 per cent

Tables:

• Table 1 Foreign citizens. Number and as a percentage of population. County. 1 January 1976-2003
• Table 2 Foreign citizens, by citizenship per 1 January 1975-2003
• Table 3 Foreigen citizen, by sex, age and citizenship. 1 January 2003
• Table 4 Foreigen citizens, by sex, marital status and citizenship. 1 January 2003
• Table 5 Foreigen citizens, by citizenship and county. 1 January 2003