Registered unemployed among immigrants (discontinued in Statistics Norway), Q1 2003

Immigrants from Africa had the highest unemployment rate, 17.8 per cent, while immigrants from Asia and Eastern Europe had 12.8 and 11.1 per cent respectively. Immigrants from South- and Central-America had the lowest unemployment rate among the non-westerners, 10.7. The rates for immigrants from the Nordic countries and Western-Europe were 4.6 and 4.8 respectively, less than one percentage point above the level of the entire population.

Highest percentage increase among Nordic immigrants

The immigrants from the Nordic countries had the highest percentage growth in the absolute numbers of unemployed from February 2002 to February 2003, with more than 50 per cent. Immigrants from South- and Central-America and Africa had a growth at 36 and 33 per cent respectively while the Eastern European immigrants had the slightest growth, 23 per cent. In the whole population as well as among immigrants in total the growth among registered unemployed was about 30 per cent.

More men registered unemployed

In the entire population men had an unemployment rate of 4.4 per cent while the women had a rate of 3.3 per cent. The rates among immigrants were 11.0 and 8.4 per cent respectively.

Males, in the whole population as well as among immigrants, had a higher increase in the absolute numbers of registered unemployed. From February 2002 to February 2003 the increase was 31 per cent in both groups, while the corresponding growth among women in total was 25 per cent and 29 per cent among female immigrants.

Growth in labour market schemes

The increase in the number of persons covered by ordinary labour market schemes (job programmes) continues. At the national level there has been an increase from 11 723 participants in February 2002 to 16 739 in February 2003, a growth of 43 per cent. Among immigrants this number increased from

3 733 to 4 574 participants - i.e. 23 per cent - during this period. These 4 574 immigrant-participants accounted for 27 per cent of all persons covered by such schemes and included mainly non-westerners (94 per cent).

In relation to the whole immigrant population 16 - 74 years, immigrants had a percentage of participants of 1.9 while the percentage for the whole population was 0.5.

More immigrant women than men participate in ordinary labour market schemes, 2 444 versus 2 130.

In relation to the immigrant population, female participants accounted for 2.0 per cent while the immigrant men had a participation rate of 1.8 per cent. In the whole population there are more male participants than female ones, 8 622 versus 8 117, but the participation rates are the same for men and women, 0.5 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Registered unemployed aged 16 - 74 years by region of birth and sex . In absolute numbers and per cent of the labour force. By the end of November 2001, February 2002, November 2002 and February 2003
• Table 2 Participants in ordinary labour market schemes (job programmes), by region of birth and sex. In absolute numbers and per cent of persons aged 16-74 years. By the end of November 2001, February 2002, November 2002 and February 2003
• Table 3 Registered unemployed and participants in ordinary labour market schemes (job programmes), by region of birth and time of residence in Norway. In per cent of persons in total aged 16-74 years. By the end of February 2002 and 2003
• Table 4 Registered unemployed, by region of birth and county of residence. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons in total 16-74 years. By the end of February 2002
• Table 5 Registered unemployed, by region of birth and county of residence. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons in total 16-74 years. By the end of February 2003
• Table 6 Registered participants in ordinary labour market schemes, by region of birth and county of residence. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons in total 16-74 years. By the end of February 2003