What’s the jobs outlook in Norway in 2023?

How is Norway Job Market in 2023?

It will be interesting to check out the jobs outlook in Norway with due analysis of the job market position in 2022. Here are some key observations that can indicate what could be in store for those who are enthusiastic to migrate to Norway and pursue their jobs there.

The general picture of Norway job market suggests that the country has recovered significantly from the losses it faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Right from spring 2021, considerable growth in jobs was seen. After a brief dip at the beginning of 2022, since March 2022, the job market has grown well.

As of August 2022, there were 3.7 million jobs in Norway and it’s improving at a progressive rate. The top job sectors that are seeing growth in jobs in August 2022 are

Job Sector	No. of jobs
Real estate, professional, scientific and technical activities	189,402
Administrative and support service	170,157
IT	115,667
Construction	256,198
Manufacture	224,671
Wholesale and retail trade	389,130
Education	257,899
Human health and social work activities	676,559

The counties that have the highest number of jobs are:

County	No. of jobs
Oslo	559,211
Viken	615,545
Vestland	363,607
Rogaland	287,681

In Q3 of 2022, the top industrial sectors with the greatest number of job vacancies are:

Industry	No. of job vacancies
Administrative and support service activities	11,000
Information and communication	6,400
Residential care activities	9,700
Accommodation and food service activities	5,500
Professional, scientific and technical activities	6,600
Social work activities without accommodation	6,500
Construction	7,300
Education	7,400
Human health activities	7,600

In Q3 of 2022, the following are the municipalities that have the highest number of jobs.

Municipality	No. of jobs
Nordkapp	1,879
Seljord	1,785
Ullensaker	31,894
Gjerstad	1,154
Aurland	1,546
Lunner	2,417
Hurdal	1,134

As for GDP trends in Norway, there was an advancement of 1.5 percent in Q3 of 2022. The GDP growth in Q2 of 2022 was 1.3 percent. The GDP growth rate in Q3 marked the biggest expansion in four quarters.

The annual GDP growth rate was 2.5 percent in September 2022. The projection of the GDP growth rate is around 0.50 percent in 2023.

In Q3 of 2023, the unemployment rate was 3.2 percent. In Q2 of 2022, it was 3.3 percent. The Q3 unemployment rate was the lowest since the Q4 of 2012.

A normal working week in Norway is 34 hours. Norway’s standard working hours are in general between 8/9 am to 4/5 pm. These hours include an unpaid lunch break.

Workers are required to have a minimum off period of 11 hours in between shifts. If a worker works more than 9 hours a day, or 40 hours a week, such work will be treated as overtime. Such overtime has to be compensated.

Overtime rules are strict in Norway. No employee is permitted to work more than 200 hours per year. As per the law of Norway, compensation for overtime work has to be at least 140 percent of the normal wage rate of the employee.

Also, no worker is allowed to work night shifts or on Sundays. The only exception could be when it’s a necessary one in their line of work. The night shift is anytime between 9 pm and 6 am.

Jobs outlook in Norway, 2023

Jobs outlook in Norway for 2023 can be understood in continuation of the job trends in 2022. There’s a huge requirement for skilled foreign workers in the following occupations:

Job role	Average annual salary (in Krones)
IT
Software Developer	845,750
Software Programmer	567,000
Engineering
Mechanical Engineer	545,000
Civil Engineer	561,000
Railway Engineer	509,780
Healthcare
Biotechnologist	927,300
Nurse	537,700
Pharmacist	777,000
Education
Teacher	561,000

Apply for a Norway work visa

Step 1: Choose your work visa

There are different types of work visas issued by Norway.

Norway seasonal work visa

You can apply for this visa if get selected to be employed in a temporary job in Norway for a specific duration of a year. It’s necessary that you must be offered a job role to be eligible to apply for this visa type. The verification by NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) is necessary for the job that you are joining under the visa.

Norway job-seeker visa

Skilled workers who have completed their higher education in Norway can apply for this type of visa. The Norwegian authorities will permit you to live and look for a job in Norway and a job offer isn’t mandatory.

Vocational training and research visa

Students who take part in training as part of their courses for higher studies or for researchers who fund their own work and aren’t hired by any enterprise in Norway can apply for this visa.

Work visa for artists

This category of visas is meant for performers, musicians, and artists slated to perform in Norway. The maximum period of stay allowed under this visa is 14 days.

Norway working holiday visa

Youngsters aged under 31 years can apply for this type of visa. They must be nationals of the following countries:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• New Zealand

With this visa, you can work and live in Norway for not more than a period of one year.

Step 2: Get your qualifications recognized

If you have educational qualifications from your country of origin, get them checked for compatibility with the required qualifications for your job in Norway.

Step 3: Arrange a checklist of requirements

Here are the documents you will need to submit along with the application for a Norway work visa:

• Passport
• Proof of academic qualifications
• Offer of Employment Form
• Proof of accommodation in Norway
• A document that proves that your salary meets the requirements for income; E.g., your employment contract with the salary agreed upon to receive with your employer in Norway
• Your CV/resume
• A document that proves your previous work experience

As an applicant you need to have one of the following qualifications:

• Vocational education degree
• Higher education degree
• In case you don’t have higher education, you need to have a particular which can act as compensation for this requirement

Step 5: Apply for Norway Work Visa

If you are applying for a Norway Work Visa from your native country, you have to follow the procedure given below:

• Fill out the application form that you can access on the UDI website.
• Ensure that you attach all the documents as instructed and required by the authorities along with your application form.
• Submit the work visa application to any Norway embassy that’s situated close to your location.
• UDI in Norway will get the application you submitted through the embassy.

In case your employer in Norway is applying for a work permit for you, here’s the procedure you must follow:

• Have all your necessary documents ready before you fill the work visa application.
• Your employer in Norway will submit the online application via the UDI website.
• You will be required to send every required document to the employer in Norway. In addition, you must send a letter that you have written and signed. Such a letter is to verify that you are letting your Norwegian employer submit the application for a work visa in Norway on your behalf.
• The employer in Norway will submit these attached documents to the body named “Residence to Permit & Protection Services” of the police force of Norway or to an SUA (Service Centre for Foreign Workers). This submission depends on which Norwegian district you are living in.
• The application will be handed over to the UDI through the SUA or the police.

How can Y-Axis assist you?

For trusted and globally reputed multiple services necessary for a potential immigrant wanting to move to Norway, visit Y-Axis. Professionals wanting to move to Norway can seek our valuable services namely:

• Expert assistance to apply for migration to Norway.
• Immigration consultancy to show you the right path to immigrate risk-free and hassle-free.
• Expert coaching services for language proficiency tests like IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE when you need it most.
• Career counseling with expert advice.

If you are looking for expert immigration advice and assistance, talk to Y-Axis, the leading immigration and career consultant in the UAE.

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