Population growing in 311 municipalities

Figures from Statistics Norway relating to the demographic development in 2011 show a continued robust population increase in Norway. The figures show migration flowing in multiple directions.

In 2011, 311 of 430 municipalities experienced an increase in population (there will be 429 municipalities in Norway from 2012). This is up one municipality from 2010 and – adjusted for the number of municipalities – the highest figure ever in the period 1951–2011.

All counties experienced population growth. Of the 177 most rural municipalities, 97 experienced population growth in 2011. This is on a par with 2010, but up 65 from 2006. As in the last two years, the overall population in the most rural municipalities grew.

The migration is flowing in multiple directions, from south to north, from cities to rural districts and vice versa. These migration flows often cancel each other out.

«I am pleased to see that the population growth takes place all over Norway, from cities to small communities,» says Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Liv Signe Navarsete.

Immigration contributed more than 70 per cent of the growth nationally. About 60 rural municipalities achieved population growth in 2011 due to immigration.

«We see that the positive population growth all over Norway continues. Immigration means a lot for the growth in the smallest Norwegian municipalities,» says Navarsete.

For the areas covered by the scope of the rural policy, the population surplus was almost 6 400 persons, with 68 036 moving in and 61 660 moving out.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s media line: +47 22 24 25 00.