Population and population change, Q1 2015

Almost 17 000 persons immigrated, while about 8 300 emigrated. That is a net immigration of 8 600, which is higher than in the 4th quarter of 2014 but the lowest since the 1st quarter of 2007. Almost 14 000 children were born and 11 500 persons died. The birth surplus is the lowest for a 1st quarter since 2003.

Compared to the same quarter in earlier years, the population growth is still high compared to the years before 2005; before labour immigration of EU nationals in Eastern Europe began.

Oslo had the highest birth surplus

Oslo had the highest birth surplus in both relative and absolute terms in the 1st quarter. In Oslo, 2 400 children were born, and 1 100 persons died. Hedmark, Oppland, Telemark, Østfold and Nordland all had a birth deficit, with more persons dying than children born.

Net migration to all counties

All counties had net migration in the 1st quarter. Oslo and Akershus had the largest net migration, with 3 400 combined, while the area Vest-Agder, Rogaland and Hordaland had the second highest net migration, by nearly 1 800 persons in total. The lowest net migration was found in Nordland, Telemark and Sogn og Fjordane.

The population in the country's capital grew by 3 100 persons, giving Oslo the highest percentage growth among the counties. Almost 10 500 persons moved to Oslo and almost 3 900 of these immigrated from abroad. Akershus grew by nearly 2 000 new inhabitants, with 7 100 persons moving to Akershus, of which 1 500 immigrated from abroad. The highest percentage growth was in Oslo and Akershus, followed by Vest-Agder, Rogaland and Hordaland. Hedmark and Oppland had relatively no growth at all.

Syrian citizens second largest net migration group

The net immigration figures in the 1st quarter this year are the lowest for a 1st quarter since 2007. The Poles are still the largest group of foreign nationals, while citizens from Syria and Eritrea are now the second and third largest groups in terms of net immigration.

Polish, Swedish and Lithuanian citizens were the largest groups of non-Norwegian citizens who immigrated to Norway, but these groups also had the highest emigration from Norway. A total of 2 600 Polish state nationals immigrated, while about 900 emigrated. Of 1 100 Swedish immigrants, 800 emigrated. Only 6 of the Syrian citizens emigrated, while there were almost 900 immigrants. Compared to the 1st quarter last year, net immigration slowed down for the typical labour immigration countries Poland, Lithuania and Sweden, with 28, 51 and 60 per cent respectively.