Over one million inhabitants in Greater Oslo

The number of residents in Greater Oslo has passed one million for the first time, figures from Statistics Norway (SSB).

Statistics Norway will not publish the exact figures until Monday but confirms to Aftenposten that the milestone has been passed. Last year, the number of inhabitants was 989,000, an increase of 1.3 per cent from the previous year.

Greater Oslo comprises a continuous urban area that extends over twelve municipalities and 270 square kilometres. The area goes from Lier on the west side to Sørum to the east.

A few years ago, Oslo was among the cities in Europe that grew fastest. In the period from 2013 to 2017, the population in Greater Oslo increased by 64,000 people, equivalent to 7 per cent, but now the strongest growth has ceased.

Oslo City Council leader Raymond Johansen (AP) thinks the passage of the milestone of one million inhabitants is pleasing.

“It says that we are a generous and inclusive area and an exciting place to be,” he told Aftenposten.