Children, 1 January 2008

At the beginning of 2008, the number of children in Norway was 1 089 000. 57 per cent of children who live at home have married parents, a decrease from 62 per cent in 2001. Slightly more than 17 per cent had cohabitating parents, an increase from almost 15 per cent in 2001. The proportion of children who live with one parent increased in the same period from 23 to 25 per cent. The statistics only include children who live with at least one parent.

In relative terms, the number of children with married parents is highest in Agder and Rogaland counties, while the number of children with cohabiting parents was highest in Trøndelag and Nordland counties. The northernmost counties and Vestfold had the highest numbers of children who live with one parent.

Most parents with young children cohabit

In relative terms, the proportion of cohabiting parents is highest for children under one year of age. In this age group, 42 per cent have cohabiting parents. Among children aged five, 21 per cent have cohabiting parents. This figure decreases with the age of the children, and among children aged 17 only 6 per cent have cohabiting parents. There are several reasons for this. First of all, it was much more common to marry than to cohabit 17 years ago. Second, many cohabiting parents get married as the children become older. And finally, many parents don’t stay together.

One in four in Oslo does not live with siblings an only child

Slightly more than 18 per cent of all children do not have sisters or brothers living at home. The proportion of children without siblings has increased steadily from 17 per cent in 2001. In relative terms, Oslo had the highest number of children without siblings with 25 per cent. Sogn og Fjordane county has the largest proportion of children with siblings.

Tables:

• Table 1 Children 0-17 years, by number of parents in the family, the parents' cohabitation arrangements and the child's age. 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Per cent.
• Table 2 Children 0-17 years, by number of parents in the family, the parents' cohabitation arrangements, siblings living at home and the child's age. 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
• Table 3 Children 0-17 years, by number of parents in the family, the parents' cohabitation arrangements and county. 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Per cent
• Table 4 Children 0-17 år, by type of siblings living at home and the child's age. 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Per cent
• Table 5 Children 0-17 år, by type of siblings living at home and county. 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Per cent
• Table 6 Children 0-17 years, by number of siblings and parents living at home and the parents' cohabitation arrangements. 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Per cent
• Table 7 Children 0-17 years, by number of siblings and county. 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Per cent
• Table 8 Children 0-17 years, by number of siblings and the child's age. 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Per cent