Norway Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Norway's agriculture employment was 2.50% in 2025, ranked 35th globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Norway's agriculture employment stood at 2.50% in 2025, a decline of +0.06% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.56% by 2026. Norway ranked 35th globally.
Norway’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture has fallen sharply from an all‑time peak of 5.77 % in 1991 to a trough of 2.03 % in 2020, before rising slightly to 2.50 % in 2025, a level that ties it with Saudi Arabia and ranks it 35th globally. The long‑term decline reflects structural shifts toward services and high‑technology industries, as well as continued mechanisation and consolidation of farm holdings that have reduced the need for manual labour. Over the 35‑year span, the proportion of agricultural workers has more than halved, mirroring trends in other advanced economies such as the Czech Republic (2.71 % in 2025) and Austria (2.77 % in 2025). Despite the modest rebound after 2020, the sector’s employment share remains low, and future changes will likely depend on policy support for sustainable farming, climate‑adaptation measures, and any resurgence in domestic food‑production incentives that could alter the current downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 2.64% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 2.60% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.56% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.50% | −0.06% | #35 |
| 2024 | 2.56% | +0.17% | #34 |
| 2023 | 2.40% | +0.08% | #31 |
| 2022 | 2.32% | −0.10% | #30 |
| 2021 | 2.42% | +0.39% | #29 |
| 2020 | 2.03% | −0.05% | #23 |
| 2019 | 2.08% | +0.02% | #24 |
| 2018 | 2.05% | −0.12% | #22 |
| 2017 | 2.18% | +0.12% | #24 |
| 2016 | 2.06% | −0.00% | #22 |
| 2015 | 2.06% | −0.17% | #22 |
| 2014 | 2.23% | −0.09% | #21 |
| 2013 | 2.31% | +0.13% | #23 |
| 2012 | 2.18% | −0.30% | #19 |
| 2011 | 2.48% | −0.01% | #23 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Norway matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Norway's agriculture employment was 2.50% in 2025. Ranked 35th globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from the previous year.
Norway's agriculture employment peaked at 5.77% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Norway was 2.03% in 2020.
Norway ranks 35th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Norway's agriculture employment is projected to reach 2.56% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Norway in 2025 was 2.50%. This ranks 35th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_norway_agriculture-employment,
title = {Norway Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/norway/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}