Foreign subsidiaries in Norway, 2000-2006

The foreign-controlled enterprises’ value added was NOK 373 billion in 2006. This accounts for slightly more than 29 per cent of the total value added in all enterprises in Norway. Foreign-controlled enterprises within manufacturing and oil and gas exploration accounted for 30 and 37 per cent of the value added in these industries, respectively. The value added per employee was around NOK 1 414 000 in the foreign-controlled enterprises, compared with around NOK 978 000 in the business economy as a whole.

Large enterprises dominate

In 2006, one in five employees worked in a foreign-controlled enterprise. The largest share was within oil and gas exploration. In this industry, 40 per cent were employed by a foreign-controlled enterprise. In real estate, renting and business activities the share was 24 per cent, and in manufacturing 24 per cent. The foreign ownership becomes even more evident if we look at enterprises with 100 or more employees. Among enterprises of this size, foreign-controlled enterprises accounted for 39 per cent of the employment and 41 per cent of the value added for enterprises of this size.

Average wage costs per employee were higher for foreign-controlled enterprises. In 2006, average wages for employees in these enterprises were NOK 504 000, compared with NOK 385 000 in the whole business economy.

Sweden and the USA main ownership countries

Sweden is the largest ownership country, measured by the number of enterprises and employees, accounting for 33 per cent and 26 per cent of these totals for all foreign-controlled enterprises, respectively. Measured by value added, the USA is the largest ownership country with a share of 36 per cent, followed by France with 14 per cent and Sweden with 13 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Enterprises under foreign control compared with all enterprises within the whole business economy 2000-2006 (Corrected 21 September 2009)
• Table 2 Enterprises under foreign control compared to the whole business economy, by industry section. 2006 (Corrected 21 September 2009)
• Table 3 Enterprises under foreign control compared to the whole business economy by number of persons employed. 2006 (Corrected 21 September 2009)
• Table 4 Enterprises under foreign control , by country of ultimate owner. 2006 (Corrected 21 September 2009)