2026.03.2707:19:10UTC+00Norway Jobseekers Rise in March

The number of people registered as unemployed in Norway stood at a seasonally adjusted 62.3 thousand in March 2026, unchanged from an upwardly revised 62.3 thousand in February. This was the first increase in unemployment following three consecutive monthly declines, and corresponded to 2.1% of the labour force.

Unemployment levels showed only minor changes across most occupational groups. The highest rate was recorded in construction, at 3.5% of the workforce, while the lowest rates were found in teaching, academic professions, and among brokers and consultants, at 3%.

Regionally, Østfold registered the highest jobless rate at 2.9%. Troms and Nordland posted the lowest rates, at 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively.

At the same time, 54,300 job vacancies were advertised in March, equivalent to 2,100 per working day, 22% more than a year earlier. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the number of fully unemployed persons fell to 65.3 thousand in March from 66.8 thousand in February.