Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Norway: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Norway is placed joint 31st of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 62.56 (2025); Labour Income Share 45.93 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint31st
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Norway on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
62.56
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Norway: 62.56. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Northern Europe
- 72.21 Iceland
- Land neighbours
- Finland 54.03 · Russia 59.81 · Sweden 58.98
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
4.637
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Norway: 4.637. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Northern Europe
- 3.625 Iceland
- Land neighbours
- Finland 9.461 · Russia 2.133 · Sweden 8.694
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
4.166
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Norway: 4.166. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Northern Europe
- 4.166 Norway
- Land neighbours
- Finland 9.462 · Russia 4.931 · Sweden 6.874
02Over time
Which way Norway is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
NorwayWorld median
Norway fell from 64.47 in 2000 to 62.56 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Norway World median 2025 62.564 57.720 2024 63.201 57.694 2023 63.587 58.158 2022 63.833 57.688 2021 62.817 56.066 2020 62.772 55.691 2019 63.505 57.871 2018 63.403 56.911 2017 62.925 56.738 2016 63.102 56.845 2015 63.703 56.788 2014 64.236 56.774 2013 64.652 56.229 2012 64.976 56.289 2011 64.996 56.297 2010 64.957 56.212 2009 65.914 56.255 2008 66.700 57.308 2007 66.714 56.933 2006 65.855 56.685 2005 64.932 56.129 2004 64.756 55.465 2003 64.544 55.630 2002 64.594 55.843 2001 64.589 56.018 2000 64.475 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
NorwayWorld median
Norway fell from 46.34 in 2004 to 45.93 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Norway World median 2025 45.93 46.230 2024 45.38 46.060 2023 44.12 45.900 2022 37.63 45.615 2021 45.43 45.433 2020 52.79 47.267 2019 51.38 46.277 2018 48.69 46.187 2017 50.12 46.467 2016 52.11 46.798 2015 50.58 46.876 2014 49.03 47.281 2013 47.28 46.887 2012 45.81 46.231 2011 46.10 45.679 2010 47.66 46.024 2009 50.53 47.071 2008 45.31 45.312 2007 45.46 45.246 2006 43.52 45.670 2005 44.35 46.265 2004 46.34 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
NorwayWorld median
Norway rose from 3.458 in 2000 to 4.637 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Norway World median 2025 4.64 5.08 2024 4.00 5.15 2023 3.57 5.21 2022 3.23 5.34 2021 4.36 6.04 2020 4.42 6.38 2019 3.68 5.36 2018 3.80 5.35 2017 4.16 5.59 2016 4.68 5.90 2015 4.30 6.41 2014 3.49 6.58 2013 3.43 6.71 2012 3.13 6.79 2011 3.20 6.90 2010 3.53 7.04 2009 3.10 6.67 2008 2.52 5.79 2007 2.49 6.00 2006 3.40 6.50 2005 4.38 7.09 2004 4.26 6.80 2003 4.22 6.95 2002 4.02 6.91 2001 3.74 6.96 2000 3.46 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
NorwayWorld median
Norway fell from 5.703 in 2000 to 4.166 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Norway World median 2025 4.166 28.67 2024 4.239 29.04 2023 4.263 29.33 2022 4.260 29.67 2021 4.269 30.01 2020 4.432 30.54 2019 4.556 29.98 2018 4.672 30.15 2017 4.854 29.93 2016 5.179 29.91 2015 5.274 30.26 2014 5.468 30.47 2013 5.043 31.14 2012 5.041 31.00 2011 5.598 31.41 2010 5.469 32.37 2009 6.098 32.59 2008 5.947 31.76 2007 5.877 33.47 2006 6.496 34.27 2005 5.595 34.66 2004 5.721 35.51 2003 5.851 35.90 2002 5.750 35.96 2001 5.796 35.27 2000 5.703 35.67
03In context
Norway beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Norway and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Russia | 13th | 59.81 | 48.31 | 2.133 | 4.931 |
| Norway | =31st | 62.56 | 45.93 | 4.637 | 4.166 |
 Sweden | 51st | 58.98 | 53.69 | 8.694 | 6.874 |
 Finland | 82nd | 54.03 | 54.08 | 9.461 | 9.462 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Norway in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Norway is ahead of the world, and behind
32 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median20
Statistics on which Norway does better than the middle country measured.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.16125.6222.16No real change since 2015
Norway: 125.62 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 182 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74275,5906,742No real change since 2015
Norway: 75,590 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 5th of 151 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230500,36125,230No real change since 2010
Norway: 500,361 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 5th of 151 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384180,93347,384No real change since 2015
Norway: 180,933 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 6th of 168 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.6101.61No real change since 2015
Norway: 0 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6850.416.68No earlier reading
Norway: 50.4 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 6th of 139 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.896.7317.89▼ Worsened since 2014
Norway: 6.73 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 68th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6366,7491,636▼ Worsened since 2014
Norway: 6,749 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 5th of 75 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.315.81814.31▲ Improved since 2014
Norway: 5.818 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 91st of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0760.7432.07No earlier reading
Norway: 60.74 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.763.1536.76No earlier reading
Norway: 3.15 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 89th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.996.345.9No earlier reading
Norway: 96.3 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 043.30No earlier reading
Norway: 43.3 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8121.641.81No earlier reading
Norway: 21.6 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 147th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3662.0953.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Norway: 62.09 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 36th of 182 · derived.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5751.10.575No earlier reading
Norway: 1.1 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.0051.292.005▼ Worsened since 2013
Norway: 1.29 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.30.337▼ Worsened since 2014
Norway: 0.3 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 54th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6665.6161.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Norway: 65.61 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 54th of 182 · derived.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5610.5112.56▼ Worsened since 2014
Norway: 10.51 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 50th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median5
Statistics on which Norway does worse than the middle country measured.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8313.4212.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Norway: 13.42 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 87th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1617.5619.16No earlier reading
Norway: 17.56 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 103rd of 179 · derived.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8630.7735.86▼ Worsened since 2014
Norway: 30.77 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 60th of 86 · derived.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Norway: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 98098No real change since 2015
Norway: 0 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0132.8315.01No earlier reading
Norway: 32.83 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 8th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5179.6659.51No real change since 2015
Norway: 79.66 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 21st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8817.8418.88Moved since 2015
Norway: 17.84 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 108th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.457.58813.45No real change since 2014
Norway: 7.588 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.382.50114.38Moved since 2015
Norway: 2.501 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 148th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.844.87431.84No real change since 2015
Norway: 4.874 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 179th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8926.5938.89No real change since 2015
Norway: 26.59 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 180th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Norway
Statutory Minimum Wage and Working Poverty Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Norway’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Norway’s 11th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Democracy & Civil Liberties1st of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital2nd of 1963/3 keys
- Energy2nd of 1653/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions4th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing9th of 2003/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience10th of 1934/4 keys
- Gender & Equality11th of 1834/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality11th of 1593/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation14th of 1764/4 keys
- Peace & Security29th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 31st of 1824/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge37th of 1983/4 keys
- Digital & Technology44th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture47th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 48th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability102nd of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Norway can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Iceland1st4/4 keysThis page
Norway=31st4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Norway and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Norway on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Norway rank on work & labour?
Norway is placed joint 31st of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Norway?
62.56 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Norway?
45.93 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Norway compare with Russia on work & labour?
Russia is placed 13th of 182, and Norway joint 31st. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Russia 59.81, Norway 62.56; Labour Income Share: Russia 48.31, Norway 45.93; Unemployment Rate: Russia 2.133, Norway 4.637; Vulnerable Employment: Russia 4.931, Norway 4.166.
How have Norway’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 64.47 in 2000 to 62.56 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 46.34 in 2004 to 45.93 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 3.458 in 2000 to 4.637 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 5.703 in 2000 to 4.166 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Norway?
No current reading is published for Norway on Statutory Minimum Wage and Working Poverty Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 32 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Norway’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Norway (banner) — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Norway: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/norway/work