Smaller increase in population
Population;Population;Immigration and immigrants
folkendrkv, Population and population change, inhabitants, population growth, births, deaths, immigration, emigration, in-migration, out-migration, excess of births, mean population, population changes, population, net migrationPopulation, Births and deaths, Migration , Population count, Population, Immigration and immigrants

Population and population changeQ1 2013



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Smaller increase in population

During the first quarter, the population increased by 12 400, to 5 063 700 on 1 April. This is the smallest increase since the first quarter of 2007, and is mostly due to a decrease in net migration. However, the excess of births also decreased compared with the first quarter in the three preceding years.

Population and changes during quarter
1st quarter 20131st quarter 2012 - 1st quarter 2013
NumberPer cent
Population at the beginning of the quarter5 051 27565 4051.3
Births14 168-588-4.0
Deaths11 363620.5
Excess of births2 805-650-18.8
Immigration18 948-1 217-6.0
Emigration9 3192 77142.3
Net migration, immigration and emigration incl9 629-3 988-29.3
Population growth12 434-4 638-27.2
Population at the end of the quarter5 063 70960 7671.2

There were 18 900 in-migrations from abroad and 9 300 out-migrations to abroad during the first quarter of 2013, giving a total net migration of 9 600. In comparison to corresponding quarters in previous years, there were 1 200 fewer in-migrations and 2 800 more out-migrations.

Around 3 000-4 000 of the 9 300 out-migrations most likely relate to persons who emigrated a long time ago and did not report their migration to the population register. There has been a build-up of such cases and the Tax Administration carries out ongoing efforts to rectify this in the Central Population Register. These efforts have become common place in recent years, but there have been far more out-migrations during this latest quarter.

A total of 14 200 children were born and 11 400 died during the first quarter, giving a total of 590 fewer and 60 more respectively than the corresponding quarter last year. The 2 800 excess of births was thus about 650 fewer than the corresponding quarter last year, and is the lowest since 2005. From 2005 to 2013, the excess of births has varied between 2 700 and 4 100 in first quarter figures.

Highest population increase in Oslo

With a growth of nearly 3 000, Oslo had the greatest increase in population during the first quarter, both in absolute figures and in relation to the population. This constitutes around a quarter of the entire population increase.

All the counties, except Telemark and Sogn and Fjordane, had a population growth in the first quarter. In the counties Hedmark and Oppland the growth was so small that the total population was more or less unchanged from 1 January to 1 April.

Together with Rogaland, Oslo had the largest birth surplus in relation to the population. Five counties had a birth deficit; Hedmark, Oppland, Vestfold, Telemark and Nordland. In relation to the population, the birth deficit was largest in Hedmark and Oppland.

Substantial immigration of Poles to Norway continues

Of the foreign citizens who immigrated to Norway, the Poles continued to dominate. Nearly 3 000 Polish nationals came to Norway during the first quarter, more than 500 fewer than last year. The other larger groups were Lithuanians with 1 600 in-migrations and Swedes with 1 600 in-migrations.

Swedish citizens represented most of the emigrations among foreign citizens, with about 1 000 out-migrations, giving a migration surplus of 500. The largest net migration was in the groups with Polish and Lithuanian citizenship, with more than 2 000 and 1 300 respectively.

Internal migration loss in many counties

Twelve counties had a migration loss to other counties. The loss was biggest in Nordland and Møre og Romsdal, with 310 and 280 more out- than in-migrations respectively. Viewed in relation to the population, Sogn og Fjordane and Finnmark had the largest losses in internal migration.

Seven of the counties had an internal migration gain, and the largest gains in relation to the population were in Østfold and Oslo.

Migration surplus from abroad in all counties

All counties had a migration surplus from abroad. In Oslo, the net in-migration was 1 400. Rogaland and Hordaland each had a net migration from abroad of 1 000. In relation to the population, Finnmark and Troms had the largest gains in net migration.