Population and population change, Q3 2011

The population grew by a total of 20 050 in the 3rd quarter; almost three times as much as in the years prior to 2004. There were only small changes in the number of births, deaths and migration compared to last year.

High immigration of Polish and Baltic nationals, fewer Swedes

Poles are at the top of the list of foreign nationals who immigrated, with 3 150 persons, up 300 from last year. A total of 2 800 Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians immigrated. Since not many of these nationals emigrated, net immigration of Polish and Baltic nationals reached 5 450, or 39 per cent of the total net immigration. Fewer Swedish nationals immigrated and more emigrated, creating a net immigration of only 150, compared to 750 last year. Nationals from the Philippines constitute the third largest group with regard to net immigration.

High number of births continues

The number of births decreased slightly in the 3rd quarter of 2010 compared to the 3rd quarter last year, but is still at a high level, with more than 16 000. This is between 1 000 and 1 500 more than during the years up to 2005. Oslo had the largest excess of births in the 3rd quarter, with 1 650, whereas the counties Akershus, Rogaland and Hordaland each had half of this. Hedmark was the only county with a birth deficit.

The number of deaths has been relatively stable during recent years, and although 200 more died during the third quarter this year than last - 10 000 compared to 9 800 - the number was higher during the years up to 2003.

Largest migration surplus in Oslo

Looking at migration as a whole, both domestic and migration to and from abroad, four counties had a large migration surplus in the 3rd quarter - Oslo, Akershus, Hordaland and Sør-Trøndelag. In Sør-Trøndelag, the migration surplus amounts to 80 per cent of the total population growth. Of all the counties, only Nordland had a migration deficit.

As for migration from abroad, two areas dominate the picture. A total of 8 000 immigrated to the counties Oslo and Akershus during the third quarter, and 4 600 to Rogaland and Hordaland. All counties had a net immigration from abroad, with the largest in Oslo with 2 300. However, compared to the population, Sør-Trøndelag’s net immigration was slightly larger than that of Oslo.

Oslo also had the largest domestic immigration with 10 000, but since almost as many left Oslo for other counties, the domestic net immigration only reached 200. Nine counties had a domestic net immigration, with Akershus having the largest, whereas 10 counties experienced a net emigration, Nordland having the largest.

Population growth in 309 municipalities in the first three quarters of 2011

The population increased in 309 of Norway’s 430 municipalities in the first three quarters of 2011, and decreased in 112 municipalities. In relative terms, the birth surplus is largest in municipalities in Rogaland and in other parts of Western Norway. Six of the ten municipalities with the largest birth surplus compared to the population are situated in Rogaland. Many of the municipalities of Northern Norway experience a relatively large birth deficit.

Only eight municipalities had a net emigration to abroad. The domestic net immigration is not large even in the biggest cities, but with the exception of these, municipalities such as Eidsvoll and Ullensaker to the Northeast of Oslo have the largest. Domestic net emigration is large in many of the municipalities of Northern Norway, but the three municipalities with the largest deficit are Stavanger, Bergen and Tromsø.

Tables:

• Table 1 Population per 1 October 2011 and population changes during 3rd quarter of 2011
• Table 2 Population per 1 January 2011 and population changes 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2011