Unemployment Rate: Norway
Norway's unemployment rate is currently 4.2% as of 2026. # Norway Unemployment Rate Norway's unemployment rate stands at 4.
Current (2026)
4.2%
-2.3% y/y
Peak (1992)
5.9%
Low (1980)
1.6%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — Norway
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — Norway
Analysis# Norway Unemployment Rate
Norway's unemployment rate stands at 4.2% in 2026, reflecting a labor market that remains relatively stable despite historical volatility. This figure sits well below the all-time peak of 5.9% recorded in 1992, yet substantially above the historic low of 1.6% in 1980. Over the past 46 years, the unemployment rate has increased 162.5% from its lowest point, indicating a general upward shift in structural unemployment levels across the Norwegian economy.
The period from 2017 to 2023 demonstrated remarkable resilience, with rates declining from 4.2% to a low of 3.3% in 2022 before gradually rising again. The 2020 pandemic spike to 4.6% proved temporary and quickly reversed. Current projections through 2026 suggest stabilization around 4.2%, indicating Norway's labor market has settled into a moderate equilibrium without signs of significant deterioration or improvement in the near term.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 3.8% | -2.56% |
| 2029 | 3.9% | -2.50% |
| 2028 | 4.0% | -2.44% |
| 2027 | 4.1% | -2.38% |
| 2026 | 4.2% | -2.33% |
| 2025 | 4.3% | +7.50% |
| 2024 | 4.0% | +11.11% |
| 2023 | 3.6% | +9.09% |
| 2022 | 3.3% | -25.00% |
| 2021 | 4.4% | -4.35% |
| 2020 | 4.6% | +24.32% |
| 2019 | 3.7% | -5.13% |
| 2018 | 3.9% | -7.14% |
| 2017 | 4.2% | -10.64% |
| 2016 | 4.7% | +4.44% |
| 2015 | 4.5% | +25.00% |
| 2014 | 3.6% | -5.26% |
| 2013 | 3.8% | +15.15% |
| 2012 | 3.3% | -2.94% |
| 2011 | 3.4% | -10.53% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3.8% | +15.15% |
| 2009 | 3.3% | +22.22% |
| 2008 | 2.7% | +8.00% |
| 2007 | 2.5% | -26.47% |
| 2006 | 3.4% | -26.09% |
| 2005 | 4.6% | +2.22% |
| 2004 | 4.5% | +0.00% |
| 2003 | 4.5% | +15.38% |
| 2002 | 3.9% | +11.43% |
| 2001 | 3.5% | +2.94% |
| 2000 | 3.4% | +6.25% |
| 1999 | 3.2% | +0.00% |
| 1998 | 3.2% | -20.00% |
| 1997 | 4.0% | -16.67% |
| 1996 | 4.8% | -2.04% |
| 1995 | 4.9% | -9.26% |
| 1994 | 5.4% | -8.47% |
| 1993 | 5.9% | +0.00% |
| 1992 | 5.9% | +7.27% |
| 1991 | 5.5% | +5.77% |
| 1990 | 5.2% | +6.12% |
| 1989 | 4.9% | +58.06% |
| 1988 | 3.1% | +47.62% |
| 1987 | 2.1% | +5.00% |
| 1986 | 2.0% | -23.08% |
| 1985 | 2.6% | -16.13% |
| 1984 | 3.1% | -8.82% |
| 1983 | 3.4% | +30.77% |
| 1982 | 2.6% | +30.00% |
| 1981 | 2.0% | +25.00% |
| 1980 | 1.6% | — |
Related Data
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For Norway
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Demographics
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