– The Labour Government wants to see more young people enter employment, education or training. A reduction of 4 000 is the equivalent of 16 young people every working day over the course of the year. This is a positive development, but the job is far from done. We are therefore redoubling our efforts, and last year we launched a major initiative to improve the lives and prospects of young people. The figures from NAV indicate that this initiative is having an impact,’ said Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion Kjersti Stenseng.  

In 2025 there were 110 000 people aged between 20 and 29 not in employment, education or training. They represent 15.6 per cent of all people in this age cohort – a decline of 4 000 or 0.5 percentage points on the previous year. If Ukrainian nationals are excluded from the statistics, the NEET rate stands at 14.8 per cent – the lowest figure ever recorded.

 – Strengthening its efforts for young people is a priority in the Government’s Plan for Norway. Under the new initiative, everyone under the age of 30 who is not in employment will be offered work experience, guidance or training opportunities. The goal is 30 000 more people under the age of 30 in work by 2030,’ said Ms Stenseng.

Kiwi-ansatt Oscar møtte arbeids- og inkluderingsminister Kjersti Stenseng i Son.
Statsråd Kjersti Stenseng besøkte ferskingen Oscar i matbutikken i Son Credit: Jørgen Mortensønn Mo / AID

Stable figures

The figures from NAV show that 702 000 people (20.5 per cent) between the ages of 20 and 66 were not in work at the end of 2025. This is around the same figure as last year. In the past few years the number and proportion of people not in employment, education or training have been lower than before the pandemic.

– Yet there are still too many people not in employment, education or training in Norway today. I believe this is one of the greatest challenges we face. We must get more people off benefits and into work. This would be good for the individual and good for society. Getting people into work is therefore a priority for this Government. There are now over 175,000 more people in work than when we took office in autumn 2021,’ said Ms Stenseng.  

In the 2026 budget the Government allocated a further NOK 550 million to various labour market policies designed to help more people into work.

Flere ukrainere i jobb

The war in Ukraine and the refugee situation have resulted in more people than normal not being in employment, education or training.  

– Excluding Ukrainians, there were 29 000 fewer people not in employment, education or training in 2025. However, an increasing number of Ukrainians are also finding work in Norway,’ said Ms Stenseng.  

The proportion of working-age Ukrainian immigrants registered as being in employment, education or training increased from 33 per cent in 2024 to 45 per cent in 2025.

Ill health is the main reason

Ill health is the single biggest reason why people are not in education, employment or training. Levels of sickness absence have increased since the pandemic. Many of those on sick leave receive work assessment allowance or disability benefit.

–  Sickness absence levels must come down, and in the IA Agreement the authorities and social partners have committed to a set of joint, enhanced measures over the next four years. Among other things, we need to look more closely at how the provisions on cooperation and activity levels are being practised. Better and more consistent application of the rules can help to improve the follow-up of employees on sick leave,’ said Ms Stenseng.