UPDATED: Norwegian politicians have been worrying for years that there aren’t enough babies being born to support the country’s welfare state for generations to come. As the post-war baby-boomers age, they’ve warned, the numbers of retirees are outpacing youngsters, but now they have some good news.
Births have risen again, reports Norway’s public health institute FHI (Folkehelseinstitutt), and that part of new trend. There were 54,472 babies born in Norway last year, according to “fresh numbers” from the state’s medical birth register. That’s up 4.7 percent from 2022, when a baby boom of sorts began and carried into 2023. It was believed to be a consequence of the pandemic that forced most people to stay home.
In mid-November came more new numbers that that births will increase this year also, after rising by 870 during the third quarter alone. A total of 43,200 babies were born in Norway as of September 30, and the total net population rose by 11,400.
“We have had several years with sinking birthrates, but the trend seems to have turned in 2023,” said Dr. Liv Cecilie Vestrheim Thomsen of FHI. She said most births last year occurred in the months from May until August, while the winter months saw the fewest.
Most of last year’s births occurred in the Oslo area, while the northernmost county of Finnmark had the least. Efforts are underway to boost the population in Finnmark, with some areas are enticing young couples with free day care and inexpensive lots on which they can build homes.
Norway’s total population now stands at just over 5.62 million, according to state statistics bureau SSB (Statistics Norway).
NewsinEnglish.no staff
