Norway Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Norway's labor force participation was 65.61% in 2025, ranked 53rd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Norway's labor force participation stood at 65.61% in 2025, a decline of +0.23pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 65.72% by 2026. Norway ranked 53rd globally.
Norway’s labor force participation has risen steadily since the early 1990s, moving from an all‑time trough of 61.55 % in 1990 to a peak of 68.42 % in 2008, before settling at 65.61 % in 2025, which places the country 53rd globally. The post‑peak decline reflects the combined impact of an aging population and higher rates of tertiary education that have temporarily reduced the share of working‑age adults in employment, yet the level remains above the 1990 baseline and only marginally below the 2008 high. Compared with peer economies, Norway’s participation rate is slightly higher than Israel’s 65.49 % and only a fraction below Nicaragua’s 66.07 %, indicating a competitive standing among nations with similar rankings. Over the next decade, demographic shifts and policy measures aimed at extending working lives are likely to determine whether Norway can recapture its 2008 peak or stabilise near the current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 65.67% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 65.69% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 65.72% | - | - |
| 2025 | 65.61% | −0.23pp | #53 |
| 2024 | 65.83% | −0.11pp | #53 |
| 2023 | 65.94% | −0.02pp | #53 |
| 2022 | 65.96% | +0.28pp | #51 |
| 2021 | 65.68% | +0.00pp | #50 |
| 2020 | 65.68% | −0.26pp | #49 |
| 2019 | 65.93% | +0.02pp | #53 |
| 2018 | 65.91% | +0.25pp | #52 |
| 2017 | 65.66% | −0.54pp | #57 |
| 2016 | 66.20% | −0.36pp | #50 |
| 2015 | 66.56% | +0.00pp | #49 |
| 2014 | 66.56% | −0.39pp | #49 |
| 2013 | 66.94% | −0.13pp | #47 |
| 2012 | 67.08% | −0.07pp | #47 |
| 2011 | 67.14% | −0.19pp | #46 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Norway matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Norway's labor force participation was 65.61% in 2025. Ranked 53rd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Norway's labor force participation peaked at 68.43% in 2008.
The lowest labor force participation in Norway was 61.55% in 1990.
Norway ranks 53rd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Norway's labor force participation is projected to reach 65.72% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Norway in 2025 was 65.61%. This ranks 53rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_norway_labor-force-participation,
title = {Norway Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/norway/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}