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Statistics on

Recipients of disability benefit

Statistics on the number and share of disability benefit recipients in the population aged 18-67 years. Breakdowns by gender, age, education and country background. Also an overview of new recipients, degree of disability and the recipients’ work intensity. Numbers for municipalities, counties and the whole country.

Updated: 23 June 2026
Next update: Not yet determined

Selected figures from these statistics

  • Recipients of disability benefit by sex and age, and new recipients of disability benefit, 18-67 years.
    Recipients of disability benefit by sex and age, and new recipients of disability benefit, 18-67 years.
    2025
    Recipients of disability benefitRecipients of disability benefit, per cent of population
    Both sexes389 02310.7
    Males158 6418.6
    Females230 38213.0
    18-24 years8 6131.8
    25-34 years34 1714.5
    35-44 years54 2207.0
    45-54 years88 96912.2
    55-61 years102 43519.9
    62-67 years100 61526.6
    New recipients of disability benefit23 2260.6
    Explanation of symbols
  • Recipients of disability benefit by sex, age and education level
    Recipients of disability benefit by sex, age and education level
    2025
    Recipients of disability benefitRecipients of disability benefit, per cent of population
    Both sexesMalesFemalesBoth sexesMalesFemales
    18-67 years
    Total389 023158 641230 38210.78.613.0
    Basic school level171 42680 48590 94124.420.329.7
    Upper secondary education140 69956 07884 62111.07.515.8
    Higher education69 50318 31251 1914.73.05.9
    Unknown or no completed education7 3953 7663 6294.33.85.0
    18-24 years
    Total8 6135 0393 5741.82.11.6
    Basic school level8 1294 7903 3394.74.74.6
    Upper secondary education3511711800.20.20.2
    Higher education13490.00.00.0
    Unknown or no completed education12074460.70.70.6
    25-34 years
    Total34 17116 49817 6734.54.24.8
    Basic school level24 82213 04011 78221.018.325.2
    Upper secondary education6 3442 3843 9603.01.75.4
    Higher education2 1725641 6080.60.40.7
    Unknown or no completed education8335103231.61.91.3
    35-44 years
    Total54 22022 57131 6497.05.88.4
    Basic school level28 36214 25814 10422.419.227.0
    Upper secondary education15 5515 5699 9827.04.111.7
    Higher education9 0382 0506 9882.41.43.2
    Unknown or no completed education1 2696945752.62.23.1
    45-54 years
    Total88 96933 83455 13512.29.115.4
    Basic school level32 59415 29617 29831.326.637.2
    Upper secondary education35 66013 51022 15013.38.520.1
    Higher education19 5294 48015 0496.03.37.9
    Unknown or no completed education1 1865486383.92.95.6
    55-61 years
    Total102 43540 00462 43119.915.324.7
    Basic school level37 32616 49520 83141.033.949.1
    Upper secondary education42 71416 96425 75019.413.926.3
    Higher education20 3435 55414 78910.76.613.8
    Unknown or no completed education2 0529911 06115.813.419.0
    62-67 years
    Total100 61540 69559 92026.621.431.9
    Basic school level40 19316 60623 58745.439.051.3
    Upper secondary education40 07917 48022 59925.119.731.8
    Higher education18 4085 66012 74815.110.319.1
    Unknown or no completed education1 93594998625.525.525.5
    Explanation of symbols
  • Recipients of disability benefit by sex, age and country background
    Recipients of disability benefit by sex, age and country background
    2025
    Recipients of disability benefitRecipients of disability benefit, per cent of population
    Both sexesMalesFemalesBoth sexesMalesFemales
    18-67 years
    Immigrants, total52 90224 50128 4016.35.77.0
    Nordic countries except Norway, EU/EFTA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand11 3895 2916 0983.32.64.2
    Europe except EU/EFTA/UK, Africa, Asia, America except USA and Canada, Oceania except Australia and New Zealand, polar regions41 51319 21022 3038.58.48.6
    The rest of the population336 121134 140201 98112.09.414.7
    18-24 years
    Immigrants, total7995162831.11.30.8
    Nordic countries except Norway, EU/EFTA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand232147850.91.10.7
    Europe except EU/EFTA/UK, Africa, Asia, America except USA and Canada, Oceania except Australia and New Zealand, polar regions5673691981.21.40.9
    The rest of the population7 8144 5233 2912.02.21.7
    25-34 years
    Immigrants, total2 3511 4169351.31.61.1
    Nordic countries except Norway, EU/EFTA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand5542862680.80.80.8
    Europe except EU/EFTA/UK, Africa, Asia, America except USA and Canada, Oceania except Australia and New Zealand, polar regions1 7971 1306671.72.31.3
    The rest of the population31 82015 08216 7385.45.05.9
    35-44 years
    Immigrants, total6 0612 9013 1602.42.32.6
    Nordic countries except Norway, EU/EFTA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand1 2885237651.20.91.7
    Europe except EU/EFTA/UK, Africa, Asia, America except USA and Canada, Oceania except Australia and New Zealand, polar regions4 7732 3782 3953.33.63.0
    The rest of the population48 15919 67028 4899.37.411.2
    45-54 years
    Immigrants, total14 0105 7398 2717.25.78.8
    Nordic countries except Norway, EU/EFTA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand2 8011 1521 6493.22.15.0
    Europe except EU/EFTA/UK, Africa, Asia, America except USA and Canada, Oceania except Australia and New Zealand, polar regions11 2094 5876 62210.39.810.8
    The rest of the population74 95928 09546 86414.010.317.7
    55-61 years
    Immigrants, total15 5537 0048 54917.415.020.1
    Nordic countries except Norway, EU/EFTA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand3 1601 4681 6928.36.311.3
    Europe except EU/EFTA/UK, Africa, Asia, America except USA and Canada, Oceania except Australia and New Zealand, polar regions12 3935 5366 85724.323.624.8
    The rest of the population86 88233 00053 88220.415.325.6
    62-67 years
    Immigrants, total14 1286 9257 20327.225.429.2
    Nordic countries except Norway, EU/EFTA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand3 3541 7151 63916.114.019.2
    Europe except EU/EFTA/UK, Africa, Asia, America except USA and Canada, Oceania except Australia and New Zealand, polar regions10 7745 2105 56434.634.834.4
    The rest of the population86 48733 77052 71726.520.732.3
    Explanation of symbols
  • Recipients of disability benefits by sex, age and disability degree
    Recipients of disability benefits by sex, age and disability degree
    2025
    Recipients of disability benefitRecipients of disability benefit (per cent)
    Both sexesMalesFemalesBoth sexesMalesFemales
    18-67 years
    All recipients of disability benefit389 024158 642230 382100.0100.0100.0
    0-50 per cent disability23 2575 62417 6336.03.57.7
    51-99 per cent disability35 42911 78423 6459.17.410.3
    100 per cent disability330 338141 234189 10484.989.082.1
    18-34 years
    All recipients of disability benefit42 78421 53721 247100.0100.0100.0
    0-50 per cent disability8532436102.01.12.9
    51-99 per cent disability2 0457031 3424.83.36.3
    100 per cent disability39 88620 59119 29593.295.690.8
    35-44 years
    All recipients of disability benefit54 22122 57231 649100.0100.0100.0
    0-50 per cent disability2 8806572 2235.32.97.0
    51-99 per cent disability4 8231 3733 4508.96.110.9
    100 per cent disability46 51820 54225 97685.891.082.1
    45-54 years
    All recipients of disability benefit88 96933 83455 135100.0100.0100.0
    0-50 per cent disability6 4621 3565 1067.34.09.3
    51-99 per cent disability9 6732 7316 94210.98.112.6
    100 per cent disability72 83429 74743 08781.987.978.1
    55-61 years
    All recipients of disability benefit102 43540 00462 431100.0100.0100.0
    0-50 per cent disability7 4991 8215 6787.34.69.1
    51-99 per cent disability10 6563 6826 97410.49.211.2
    100 per cent disability84 28034 50149 77982.386.279.7
    62-67 years
    All recipients of disability benefit100 61540 69559 920100.0100.0100.0
    0-50 per cent disability5 5631 5474 0165.53.86.7
    51-99 per cent disability8 2323 2954 9378.28.18.2
    100 per cent disability86 82035 85350 96786.388.185.1
    Explanation of symbols
  • New recipients of disability benefit by sex and age
    New recipients of disability benefit by sex and age
    2025
    New recipients of disability benefitNew recipients of disability benefit, per cent of population
    Both sexesMalesFemalesBoth sexesMalesFemales
    18-67 years23 2269 69113 5350.60.50.8
    18-19 years9985844140.70.80.6
    20-24 years9554894660.30.30.3
    25-34 years2 9541 1751 7790.40.30.5
    35-44 years3 7561 3952 3610.50.40.6
    45-54 years5 2651 9763 2890.70.50.9
    55-61 years5 7012 4053 2961.10.91.3
    62-67 years3 5971 6671 9301.00.91.0
    Explanation of symbols
  • Recipients of disability benefit by sex, age and work-intensity
    Recipients of disability benefit by sex, age and work-intensity
    2025
    Recipients of disability benefitRecipients of disability benefit (per cent)
    Both sexesMalesFemalesBoth sexesMalesFemales
    18-67 years
    All intensity levels389 024158 642230 382100.0100.0100.0
    None294 481124 847169 63475.778.773.6
    Low23 2309 85113 3796.06.25.8
    HIgh14 7475 7119 0363.83.63.9
    Full56 56618 23338 33314.511.516.6
    18-24 years
    All intensity levels8 6145 0403 574100.0100.0100.0
    None6 8983 9972 90180.179.381.2
    Low5563152416.56.36.7
    HIgh4242661584.95.34.4
    Full7364622748.59.27.7
    25-34 years
    All intensity levels34 17116 49817 673100.0100.0100.0
    None25 83412 58713 24775.676.375.0
    Low2 2211 0221 1996.56.26.8
    HIgh1 7017759265.04.75.2
    Full4 4152 1142 30112.912.813.0
    35-44 years
    All intensity levels54 22022 57131 649100.0100.0100.0
    None39 90517 51222 39373.677.670.8
    Low3 5281 3642 1646.56.06.8
    HIgh2 4069201 4864.44.14.7
    Full8 3812 7755 60615.512.317.7
    45-54 years
    All intensity levels88 96933 83455 135100.0100.0100.0
    None63 39625 96637 43071.376.767.9
    Low5 8242 2323 5926.56.66.5
    HIgh3 7341 2642 4704.23.74.5
    Full16 0154 37211 64318.012.921.1
    55-61 years
    All intensity levels102 43540 00462 431100.0100.0100.0
    None75 76030 93644 82474.077.371.8
    Low6 0502 6303 4205.96.65.5
    HIgh3 7001 3902 3103.63.53.7
    Full16 9255 04811 87716.512.619.0
    62-67 years
    All intensity levels100 61540 69559 920100.0100.0100.0
    None82 68833 84948 83982.283.281.5
    Low5 0512 2882 7635.05.64.6
    HIgh2 7821 0961 6862.82.72.8
    Full10 0943 4626 63210.08.511.1
    Explanation of symbols

About the statistics

The information under «About the statistics» was last updated 28 June 2023.

Resident. The statistics cover persons who were registered in the Central Population Register as resident in Norway as of 31 December. The Act of Population Registration of 16 January 1970 (with subsequent amendments) and associated regulations from 1994 set out the criteria for classification as a resident in Norway. The total number of residents in an area is also referred to as the population.

Information on place of residence, gender and age are retrieved from the Central Population Register. Information on place of residence relates to the end of the statistical year, and information on age also refers to the end of the year.

Non-Resident. Persons who are noe registerede as residents as of 31 December, either dead or living abroad.

Disability benefit. Disability benefit under the National Insurance Scheme is intended to serve as a safety net for those who are unable to work due to ill health. Under new regulations introduced as part of the disability benefit reform on 1 January 2015, the benefit is calculated as 66% of earlier income, with an upward limited of 6G (G = the basic amount in the National Insurance Scheme). The basis for the calculation is the average income earned in the best three of the last five years of employment prior to the disability occurring. Disability benefit is taxed as normal income from work. Only members of the National Insurance Scheme can qualify for disability benefit, i.e. residents of Norway. There are also a number of other conditions that must be met:

  • Applicants must have been a member of the National Insurance Scheme for at least three years prior to the disability occurring. Exceptions are made here for young disabled people and refugees, as well as persons from countries with whom Norway has a social security agreement. Periods of service in some international organisations and such like are also disregarded.
  • Recipients must be resident in order to continue receiving disability benefit. Some exceptions also apply here; for those who have been a resident for at least 20 years after the age of 16 before the disability occurred, for those who have accrued at least 3 years of income/occupational pension and for those who reside in a country with whom Norway has a social security agreement (see textbox).
  • In order to be eligible for disability benefit, applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and they can start receiving the benefit the month after they turn 18. Disability benefit also ends at the age of 67. In practice, recipients will go over to the retirement pension the month following their 67th birthday.
  • It is also a requirement that appropriate treatment has been undertaken with a view to improving the capacity to work.
  • In order to receive disability benefit, applicants must have a permanent injury, illness or condition. It is not the severity of the injury or the illness itself that is the determining factor; the criterion is that the capacity to work is reduced by at least 50%. Thus, in principle, no one should have graded (partial) disability benefit below 50%, however this does occur as a result of certain special rules. For example, the degree of disability may be set at 30% where the disability is due to occupational injury. Following a period of 40% work assessment allowance, the degree of disability may be set at 40% and employment of 60%.

Disability benefit generally continues until the age of 67 (NAV cannot re-assess the recipient unless it is apparent that their health has improved). Under the new rules introduced on 1 January 2015, recipients can earn up to 40% of G each year without any reductions being made to their disability benefit. The benefit will be reduced for recipients who have income from work that exceeds this amount. Note that capital income is not subject to this rule, which means that recipients can have unlimited capital income without this affecting their benefit. Recipients who have income from work of more than 40% of G, will have their benefit reduced according to specific rules, up to an income of over 85% of previous income, which is the cut-off point for terminating disability benefit. However, it is important here to note that the actual degree of disability, the right to receive disability benefit, does not change even if recipients also have high earnings; it is only the actual payment that is affected.

For more information on the regulations for disability benefit, see www.nav.no (https://www.nav.no/no/Person/Pensjon/Uforetrygd)

Disability benefit recipients are persons who receive a positive decision on disability benefit fromthe National Insurance Scheme that is applicable to at least one month during the year. The definition also covers persons with a positive decision who have not actually received payment of the benefit. The vast majority of the tables in the statistics only include disability benefit recipients who are resident (see definition). Two tables also include disability benefit recipients who are not resident, and a distinction is made here between residents and non-residents. Recipients of disability payments from other schemes, such as private insurance or pension funds, are only included if they also have a positive decision on disability benefit from the National Insurance Scheme. Note that this definition of disability benefit recipients differs somewhat from the definition used in the statistics from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), and that the figures will be different to those published there. See the section Coherence with other statistics for more information and links to NAV.

New disability benefit recipients are persons with a decision on disability benefit in month m during the year, but without a decision in month m-1. In cases where m represents January, m-1 will represent December in the preceding year.

Young disability benefit recipients are persons aged 18–29 receiving disability benefit. This group should not be confused with persons who are granted disability benefit under the regulations for young people with a reduced capacity to work, which require the impairment to have occurred before the age of 26.

Work intensity is a measure of the degree of employment as a wage earner whilst receiving disability benefit. The measurement requires receipt of disability benefit and employment as a wage earner to have occurred in the same month, and is calculated as ‘the number of months in which income from work and disability benefit is received / the number of months that disability benefit is received’. The results are shown as None intensity (no months where both conditions occur), Low intensity (employed for at least one but less than half of the months when disability benefit was received), High intensity (employed for more than half but not all months when disability benefit was received) and Full intensity (employed in all months when disability benefit was received).

Wage earners are defined as persons who performed paid work, with compensation in the form of wages or similar, for at least one hour in the reference week, as well as persons who had such work but were temporarily absent due to illness, holiday leave, paid leave or similar. Persons undertaking military or civilian national service are considered to be in employment. Persons on government employment initiatives who receive wages from an employer are also classified as employees. This follows the recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Statistics Norway’s statistics use the terms ‘employee’ and ‘wage earners’ interchangeably. Note that the self-employed are not therefore measured in terms of work intensity in these statistics.

See also About the statistics at http://www.ssb.no/arbeid-og-lonn/statistikker/arblonn/kvartal

At-risk-of poverty (EU-scale). At-risk-of poverty thresholds are set as 50 and 60 per cent of median income after tax per consumption unit in the entire population.

For definitions of income per consumption unit and Consumpion units calculated according to the EU-scale, see About the statistics under http://www.ssb.no/en/ifhus

Average income account. The composition of total income for persons and after-tax income by selected income components, as well as median after-tax income and median household equivalent income (EU-scale). For definitions of income components and household equivalent income, see About the statistics under http://www.ssb.no/en/ifhus

Degree of disability shows the disability benefit recipient’s calculated degree of disability as 0–50 per cent, 51–99 per cent or 100 per cent. Most disability benefit recipients’ degree of disability will not change during the course of a year, but in order to allow for cases where this does happen, we choose the highest registered degree of disability in tables that use the degree of disability classification (see also Disability benefit). The calculated degree of disability can vary from the degree of payment, since this also depends on income in addition to disability benefit.

Immigrants are persons born abroad to two foreign-born parents and four foreign-born grandparents. Country of birth is normally the mother’s country of residence at the time of the person’s birth.

EU/EEA, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand include immigrants with the following countries of birth: Denmark, Greenland, Finland, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Sweden, Belgium, Bulgaria, Andorra, Estonia, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Ireland, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Lithuania, Spain, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, Vatican City, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, except Australia and New Zealand and Europe except EU/EEA include immigrants born in the following: Albania, Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Asia, Africa, America excluding USA and Canada and Oceania excluding Australia and New Zealand. Persons who were stateless at birth and with an unknown country of birth are also included.

Data on education relates to 1 October in the statistical year. In these statistics, a variant of the Classification of education is used, where the highest completed education is classified as follows: http://www.ssb.no/en/klass/klassifikasjoner/36/varianter/843

The Norwegian Standard Classification of Education 2016 forms the basis for this classification:

https://www.ssb.no/en/utdanning/artikler-og-publikasjoner/norwegian-standard-classification-of-education-2016

http://www.ssb.no/en/klass/klassifikasjoner/36

The classification of municipalities is in line with the list of municipalities as of 31 December in the relevant year.

Classification of municipalities: https://www.ssb.no/en/klass/klassifikasjoner/131

Relatert innhold