Norway in a nutshell
– from a worker’s viewpoint.
Low unemployment rate
For a long time Norway had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.
The year 1993 was a peak with 6%, and since then it has been down to 2.5% and the peak in 2016 is estimated to be 4%. The country has a booming energy and construction sector and a strong need for skilled workers and professionals to meet this demand.
According to statistics on Norway, 31% of businesses in the private sector currently have foreign nationals in their workforce and 28% of state enterprises employ foreign nationals. Furthermore, 1 in 6 workers in Norway are currently non-Norwegian nationals. 22 000 new work positions within Oil&Gas are expected in the period 2018 – 2020.
Norway also has some of the world’s highest salaries. Average salaries are 15 – 60% higher than the EU average for most sectors. Income taxes are generally high (36% on average), but the country has a generous system of benefits, healthcare and public services. Norway has been deemed the ‘happiest’ country to live by the UN’s Human Development Index.
A highly technologically developed country
Norway is a highly technologically developed country and many overseas professionals benefit from gaining valuable experience while working for a company in Norway which is at the cutting edge in their field.
To be at the cutting age is especially the case in the Engineering and Energy sectors in general, as well as certain niche industries such as the Subsea sector, where the country is a base for many companies that are leading technological developments in this field.
In a time with challenging conditions in the oil and gas industry with lower oil prices, Norway welcomes export opportunities for its rich natural resources and many products. There is also an increase in the repair and reuse industry.
At the lower end of the pay scale salaries differ even more from other European countries with many semi-skilled or unskilled workers able to earn the equivalent of a year’s salary in their own country from only 3 months of work in Norway.
The cost of living in Norway is high. Food and transport are generally more expensive than in most other European countries. Accommodation can be pricey in cities, especially Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger, whereas in smaller cities and the countryside accommodation can be surprisingly affordable.
For members of NowGuide there is good information on how to carefully plan your stay in Norway.
Some facts
Norway brings great joy to many people as a country to live in. People coming from abroad like to point out the security of knowing a deal is a deal and that a salary is always payed according to the agreement.
It is normal to feel safe in Norway and to have no reasons to worry. Others just like to visit to mingle with the happy people living in Norway as a tourist, to see the wildlife and the soul warming spring, the beautiful summer, the impressive autumn and snowy winter. Others like to take advantage of the Norwegian resources to or add to them through importing and exporting.
A normal working week in Norway is 37.5 hours, 7.5 h/day + 0.5 hour lunch break. Often, flexible working hours give you the choice to start your work day between 6am and 9am in the morning. The Norwegian work market focuses on educating employees and helps them to take on further responsibilities within the companies they work for.
NowGuide is here to help you be a valuable part of it. We suggest you start here.
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Natural resources
Petroleum
Petroleum is Norway’s largest industry and oil has given Norway its great wealth.
Half of the areas where petroleum is expected, most of them in the north, are not yet open for business.
Seafood
Norway aims to be the world’s leading seafood nation.
The maritime industries, research institutions and government agencies constitute the most complete maritime cluster.
Wood
Norway is covered with this valuable and important resource.
There are plans to increase the research into the value chains within the forest, renewable raw materials and the use of wood-based raw materials for new products.
Hydro power
The numerous mountains and waterfalls of Norway form a natural arena for hydropower and the traditional production of electricity.
Norway has some of the world’s finest drinking water and exports 10 billion liters every year.
Smelter
There is an overwhelming amount of metals in Norway.
Norwegian smelters extract raw materials that are exported for processing.
The majority of Norway’s metals have still not been mined.
There are ongoing plans to mine rare earth elements.
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