Survey: Young Norwegians are becoming less worried about climate and more worried about unemployment

After the corona outbreak, fewer young people under the age of 30 point to climate change as the most significant political challenge. Unemployment is now rising as a concern.

Last year, for the first time, climate change was at the top of the list of Norway’s most important political issues.

That changed when the corona pandemic hit Norway this spring. 

Health climbed up to first place, and the climate fell to second place. 

However, according to the Climate Barometer by Kantat for the autumn of 2020, climate change is back at the top again.

New priorities

The survey shows that 39% of the respondents see climate change as one of the biggest challenges Norway faces.

The voters of the Green Party (MDG), the Socialist Left (SV), the Red Party (Rødt), and the Liberal Party (Venstre) give climate the highest priority.

Health and unemployment are in the second and third place respectively, both with support from 37% of those surveyed. 

Immigration has fallen to fourth place after topping the list four years in a row from 2015 to 2018.

But even though climate change now tops the list again, support is significantly lower than at the same time last year. 

At the time, 49% of those surveyed agreed that climate change was one of Norway’s biggest challenges.

Kantar states that it is reasonable to assume that the corona pandemic is the explanation, with health services under pressure and many more people being laid off and unemployed.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today