Persons with refugee background, 1 January 2008

Out of the total population with refugee background almost 100 000 persons have come to Norway as principal applicants, while 32 500 have come as dependents. During 2007, the number of persons with refugee background increased by 7 200.

The two largest groups with refugee background come from Iraq and Somalia. At the beginning of this year, there were 17 600 people with a refugee background from Iraq, and 15 500 with a refugee background from Somalia in Norway. From 2007 to 2008, these two groups increased by 1 500 and 800 persons respectively. No other groups had a higher growth.

In general, persons with refugee background from Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan and Russia have stayed in Norway for a short time. No refugee group has stayed in Norway longer than those with refugee background from Vietnam.43 per cent of the persons in this group have been residents here for more than 20 years.

Most in Oslo

There were persons with refugee background in all the Norwegian counties, but Oslo had the highest number and the highest proportion at the beginning of 2008. Around 28 per cent of the persons with refugee background live in Oslo. 37 000 persons, or 6.6 per cent of the total population in the capital, had refugee background at the beginning of this year. The lowest proportion of persons with refugee background is found in Nord-Trøndelag, Troms and Finnmark. In these counties, less than one per cent of the population had refugee background.

Tables:

• Table 1 Persons with refugee background. Refugee status and country background. 1 January 2008
• Table 2 Persons with refugee background. Citizenship, duration of residence and country background. 1 January 2008
• Table 3 Persons with refugee background. Age and country background. 1 January 2008
• Table 4 Persons with refugee background. Citizenship, sex and country background. 1 January 2008
• Table 5 Persons with refugee background. Refugee status and county. 1 January 2008
• Table 1 Different definitions of persons with refugee status, by country background and specified status. 1 January 2008
• Table 2 Persons with refugee background, by country, citizenship and duration of residence in Norway. 1 January 2008
• Table 3 Different definitions of persons with refugee background, by country background and age. 1 January 2008
• Table 4 Persons with refugee background by country background, citizenship and sex. 1 January 2008
• Table 5 Different definitions of persons with refugee background, by refugee status and county. 1 January 2008