Refugee numbers up in 2015

jobsKarl Johans gate. Photo Norway Today Media.

A total of 49 000 persons with non-Nordic citizenship immigrated to Norway in 2015. Labour immigration showed the largest decrease, but was nevertheless still high. The number of refugees saw a significant increase compared with the previous year, especially from Syria.

In total, there was a decrease of 1 000 persons with non-Nordic citizenship that immigrated to Norway compared with 2014.

Labour was the reason for immigration for 37 per cent of non-Nordic immigrants in 2015, and one third were family immigrants. Nineteen and ten per cent were refugees and students respectively. Poles were still the largest group among labour and family immigrants that immigrated in 2015, while Syrians constituted the largest group of refugees last year. Among those who immigrated due to education or cultural exchange, many were from the Philippines.

Labour immigration continues to fall
In 2015, labour immigration decreased by about 16 per cent from 2014, but was still high. A total of 18 000 persons from non-Nordic countries immigrated for work in 2015. Labour immigrants from Poland made up the largest group in 2015, with 5 200 persons; a decrease of 1 400 from the previous year. Lithuanian labour immigrants were next, with 2 500 persons.

Significant increase in number of Syrian refugees
Compared with 2014, 2 200 more persons were registered as refugees in 2015. The 9 200 new refugees accounted for 19 per cent of all non-Nordic immigrants. The statistics on reasons for immigration do not cover asylum seekers who are waiting for a residence permit, but also among those who were granted a permit to stay in 2015, the Syrian refugees constituted the largest group with 3 300 persons. This corresponds to 36 per cent of all registered refugees in 2015. Citizens from Eritrea and Afghanistan were also large groups of refugees, with 2 600 and 1 100 persons respectively.

 

Source: SSB / Norway Today