Reform of local government

The government initiated a local government reform in 2014. The result is a reduction from 428 municipalities to 356, and from 19 to 11 counties, from 1.1.2020.  

In 2014, a broad majority in the Parliament supported the government’s description of the need for a reform, and the main elements of a reform process. Further, it was decided that also the regional level would be part of the reform process. A part of the reform is also to transfer tasks to the municipal level.

In april 2017 the government proposed a new municipal structure to the Parliament for both municipalities and counties. The parliament voted over this in june 2017.  The result was that 119 municipalities merge into 47 new municipalities.

The parliament has also voted to merge counties with the result of a reduction from 19 to 11 counties.

The main aim of the local government reform is to reduce the number of municipalities.

The goals for the local government reform are:

• Good, equal services for inhabitants, today and in the future
• Comprehensive and coordinated community development, in both larger and smaller municipalities
• Sustainable and financially solid municipalities
• Strengthen local democracy, and give the municipalities more power

There is also transfer of certain tasks to the municipalities and counties from 1.1.2020.

Proposition to the Storting no. 96 S - Changes in the local government structure (pdf)