Small net growth

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The building stock increased by fewer than 28 000 buildings in 2016. Akershus county accounted for the largest share of net growth, with 11 per cent.

The building stock increased by almost 0.7 per cent in 2016. This is the lowest net growth in per cent since 1997. A total of 4.14 million buildings are registered as per 1 January.

Changes in building stock are due to new buildings, demolition and change in use of buildings. Almost 12 700 buildings had a change in code for building type in 2016. Additionally, 50 100 buildings were registered as per 1 January 2016 which did not exist on 1 January 2017. Conversely, almost 22 300 buildings were registered as of 1 January 2016 which no longer existed on 1 January 2017.

Decrease in agricultural sector

Buildings within the agricultural sector is the only major group of buildings by type that has experienced a net decrease in the last year. The net decrease has been almost 1 700 buildings.

Minor residential buildings, holiday homes and garages constitute the large majority of the net growth, with almost 96 per cent of the growth.

Building stock on map

The building stock is also counted for on the map within a fixed square grid. This grid statistics show the geographical pattern of the building stock, which parts of Norway are impacted by buildings, and where the highest building density might be found.

The grid statistics for buildings should be used in combination with, for example, number or dwellings or residents. This will give a better indication of which parts of the country are more utilised. Statistics on grids may be downloaded from the geodata webpage, and are shown in Statistics Norway’s geoportal.

Basis for statistics

The statistics are based on data from the data register (Matrikkelen). The municipalities record data in the Matrikkel. All buildings in Norway larger than 15 square metres are recorded in the register with a code for building type and coordinates. The statistics may include buildings that are demolished, burnt down or otherwise non-existent, where these are not reported to the authorities.

Connected units are recorded as separate buildings when the units can be demolished independently of each other. A single dwelling in row houses and in semi-detached houses is recorded as one building.

Causes for changes in building stock

Municipalities clean their registers at different intervals in order to improve quality. As a result, buildings that were not classified one year are assigned their correct building type the following year. In addition, incorrectly classified buildings are assigned their correct building type code. The number of registered buildings in a municipality may therefore change from one year to the next.

 

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