Industry statistics for Svalbard, 2010

The highest decrease in turnover was found in mining and quarrying, from about NOK 2 billion in 2009 to NOK 1.5 billion in 2010, down by almost 26 per cent. Part of the reason for the observed decline was a lower coal production and reduced sales quantities from the Svea Nord mining. According to the annual report for Store Norske Spitsbergen kullkompani AS the sales quantities of coal from Svea Nord decreased from 2.4 million tonnes in 2009 to over 1.6 million tonnes in 2010, as the deposit of coal is soon fully extracted.

The turnover also decreased in other industries. Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles had a turnover of NOK 338 million in 2010; a decrease of NOK 14 million compared with 2009. Turnover in administrative and support service activities dropped to NOK 258 million, down 8.4 per cent. Construction had a turnover of approximately NOK 485 million in 2010; an increase of over NOK 105 million compared with 2009. Turnover in education increased by over NOK 8 million.

Fewer jobs in mining and quarrying

The number of man-years in 2010 amounted to 1 404 for the local KAUs operating in Svalbard in 2010; 51 man-years less than in 2009. The greatest decrease came in mining and quarrying, down 7.3 per cent - or by 29 man-labour years - compared with 2009.

Within accommodation and food service activities and public administration and defence; compulsory social security, the total number of man-years increased by 8 and 13 per cent respectively.

Decrease in number of employees

Number of employees on Svalbard decreased by 261 persons from 2009 to 2010. Employment losses in 2010 were spread across all types of positions. The heaviest employment losses were found among seasonal workers, whose number fell by 185. The workforce varies because of seasonal fluctuations of tourism.

As regards regular full-time positions, the number of male workers fell by 3.6 per cent to 845, while the number of female workers remained stable at 395 employees. Regular part-time work accounted for 9.7 per cent of paid employment; a slight decrease from its peak of 10.5 in 2009. In this category, women represented the largest share; 61 per cent in 2010.

Little increase in public subsidies

Public subsidies to industries in Svalbard came to NOK 388 million in 2010; up 1.7 million compared with 2009. Most of the public subsidies were received by local KAUs operating within public administration, defence and compulsory social security industry and education, with an amount of NOK 142 million and 111 million respectively.

Increased investments in mining and quarrying

Total investments in Svalbard increased by NOK 218 million to a record high NOK 505 million in 2010. Mining and quarrying recorded the largest gain in investments (+129 million), reaching a record NOK 166.5 million. This is partly due to the construction of the purification plant for coal in the Svea Nord mining.

Real estate activities also recorded an important gain in investments in 2010. These increased by NOK 89 million to over 104 NOK million.

Increased turnover for accommodation and food service activities

The turnover in accommodation and food service activities increased from NOK 205 million in 2009 to NOK 207 million in 2010. The proportion of sales to other establishments in Svalbard accounted for 27 per cent of the total turnover coming from accommodation and food service activities in 2010. As regards sales of tourism products to tourists visiting Svalbard, this proportion was 49 per cent. Sales of tourism products to the continental-Norway/foreigners - both to firms and private persons- represented 11 per cent of the total turnover in accommodation and food service activities.

Tables:

• Table 1 Main figures, local KAUs. Svalbard. 2009/2010
• Table 2 Main figures, local KAUs in public sector. Svalbard. 2009/2010