Persons entitled to vote, 2005

In total, the number of people who are entitled to vote in this year's general election is 68 500 higher than in the election of 2001, an increase of 2 per cent. The increase in the number of people entitled to vote is highest in Akershus county, at 14 000. In Nordland county, on the other hand, the electorate has fallen by 800 in the last four years.

More people with immigrant background entitled to vote

About 123 700 Norwegian citizens with immigrant background will have the right to vote in this year's election, an increase of 24 000 since the Storting election in 2001. About half of this growth has taken place in Oslo and Akershus. In Oslo, Norwegian citizens with immigrant background constitute about 12 per cent of the total number of electors. This compares with an average for the whole country of 3.6 per cent. In the last four year period, there has been a decrease in the number of electors in the group of western immigrants. The largest groups with immigrant background who are entitled to vote come from Pakistan (12 700), Vietnam (11 000) and Bosnia- Herzegovina (7 900). The Bosnia-Hercegovina group has increased by 6 600 from the last general election.

More young, but fewer elderly people entitled to vote

In the 18-21 age group, 213 200 people are entitled to vote for first time in a general election, an increase of 6 400 since the last general election. The number of elderly electors continues to decrease, and from 1997 to 2005 the reduction is 28 400 people. The decrease is connected with the low birth rates in the 1930s.

Tables:

• Table 1 Storting Election 2005. Persons entitled to vote, by county. Estimated March 2005
• Table 2 Storting Election 2005. Norwegian citizens with immigrant background 1999-2005 , entitled to wote. Estimated figures
• Table 3 Storting Election 2005. Norwegian citizens with immigrant background, entitled to vote, by county. Estimated March 2005