Social assistance, 2002, preliminary figures

The payment of social assistance has also increased and came to NOK 4.6 billion in 2001.

An overview over the regions shows that the slight increase is distributed among most of the counties. It seems to have been a decline in the number of recipients among the youngest age groups, while for others and especially for those aged 30 - 39, there has been an increase.

Increased benefits

Last year the total benefits were roughly NOK 4.6 billion, while in 2001 the amount was NOK 4.3 billion. Average annual social assistance benefits per recipient in 2001 were almost NOK 31 400, while the benefits per recipients were about NOK 33 400 in 2002.

The regional differences among counties regarding the level of average annual benefits were also large. In 2002 Oslo had the highest level of benefits, while the northern county of Troms had the lowest.

About the statistics

The figures presented in this article are preliminary and based on all counties.

Detailed figures for a comparison among counties are available on Statistics Norway's website: http://www.ssb.no/kostra/ . Differences in figures from KOSTRA and those presented in this article may exist. The reason may be that some counties did not report in time for the publishing of KOSTRA figures 16 June. Some of the counties that sent reports that arrived later than 17 June are, however, included in the figures used in this report.

Tables:

• Table 1 Number of cases on social assistance, by age, county and size of municipality. 2002
• Table 2 Expenditure on social assistance, by nature of assistance, county and size of municipality. 2002. 2002-kroner