Registered unemployed among immigrants (discontinued in Statistics Norway), Q4 2005

In these statistics, immigrants are defined as first-generation immigrants, i.e. people born abroad by foreign-born parents. They must also be registered as settled in Norway for at least six months. The figures are based on the Directorate of Labour's register of job seekers and are calculated as a fraction of the labour force.

Measured in percentage points the decline in the unemployment rate was about one percentage point within all immigrant groups, western as well as non-western groups. The relative decline was, however, strongest within the western groups and those from the new EU-countries in Eastern Europe.

In total 72 342 people were registered as unemployed by the end of November 2005. Among them 14 274 were immigrants, i.e. a proportion at about 20 per cent. In the whole population among 16 and 74 years immigrants constituted 8 per cent.

No equalization to non-immigrants

When immigrants are subtracted from the total group of unemployed, the unemployment rate falls to 2.6 per cent. The level among immigrants is consequently three times as high. This difference has not been reduced during the last year despite the decrease. As some non-western groups are concerned, the difference is even larger. Immigrants from Africa had the highest unemployment rate at 16.7 per cent, which is six times higher than the non-immigrant population. Immigrants from Asia had the second highest rate at 11 per cent registered unemployed, while those from Eastern Europe (except EU countries) had 10.2 per cent and from South and Central America 9 per cent. The lowest rates were as usual recorded among immigrants from The Nordic countries and the other western European countries at about 3.5 per cent in each group. Close to them we find the immigrants from the new EU countries in the East at 4.6 per cent.

The high unemployment rate among African immigrants must be seen in connection with the relative high proportion of newly arrived immigrants in this group, especially refugees from Somalia.

Strongest decline among men

Male immigrants experienced mainly the fall in unemployment in the period, at 1.4 percentage points, while among immigrant women the fall only came to 0.4 percentage points. This development has caused almost equalization among immigrant men and women as unemployment is concerned. In the fourth quarter the rates were 8.4 and 8.3 per cent respectively. Traditionally we find a higher registered unemployment rate among immigrant men than among women. In the rest of the population, the rates were, 2.7 versus 2.6 per cent respectively.

Norwegian born by foreign-born parents

Only 511 people among the Norwegian born by foreign-born parents were registered as unemployed.

These people constituted 5.7 per cent, which was 1.4 percentage points lower than November 2004.

In relation to western versus non-western country background (based on the mothers country of birth) the proportions were 3.3 and 6.5 respectively.

Highest unemployment for immigrants with four to seven years of residence

The highest unemployment rate was recorded among immigrants with four to seven years of residence. This disparity is most likely due to the fact that newly arrived non-western immigrants -mostly refugees- go through language and job training before they enter the labour force as registered job seekers. For immigrants with seven years of residence or more, the unemployment rate fell strongly, but we do not see any equalization between the groups despite this decline. African immigrants had still the highest unemployment rate at 8.1 per cent while the other non-western groups

were close until 6 per cent and the western immigrants slightly above 2 per cent (calculated as a fraction of the population 16 - 74 years)

Labour market schemes

In November 2005 the number of immigrants participating on ordinary labour market schemes (job programmes) was 3 856 people, which was about 1 750 participants fewer compared to November

2004, a reduction of 31 per cent. Participants who not were immigrants constituted 8 600 people.

In this group the decline was 5 100 participants or 37 per cent.

As a percentage of the immigrant population, participation on labour market schemes was 1.4 per cent in November 2005. In the remaining population the participant rate was 0.3 per cent.

Immigrants from Africa had the highest participant rate in November 2005 at 2.6 per cent. Immigrants from Eastern Europe (outside EU) had a participation rate at 2.0 per cent, from Asia 1.8 and from South- and Central-America 1.4 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Registered unemployed by immigrant background, region of birth and sex. In absolute numbers and in per cent of the labour force. By the end of November 2004 and 2005
• Table 2 Participants on ordinary labour market schemes (job programmes) by immigrant background, region of birth and sex. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons aged 16 to 74 years. By the end of November 2004 and 2005
• 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 November 2004 and 2005
• Table 4 Registered unemployed by immigrant background, region of birth and county of residence. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons aged 16 to 74 years in each group. By the end of November 2004 and 2005
• Table 5 Participants on ordinary labour market schemes (job-programmes) by immigrant background, region of birth and county of residence. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons aged 16 to 74 years in each group. By the end of November 2004 and 2005
• Table 6 Registered unemployed by sex, immigrant background, region of birth and age. Absolute numbers and in per cent of the labour force. By the end of November 2004 and 2005