The findings are contained in the 2026 Business Survey published by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), which highlights growing demand for skilled workers in healthcare, industrial operations and construction.
The survey gathered responses from 13,119 public and private businesses across Norway between late January and mid-March 2026. It is one of the country’s largest assessments of labour demand.
According to NAV, healthcare and care services remain the hardest-hit areas, with an estimated 9,200 workers needed to address staffing gaps.
Acting Director of Labour and Welfare Eve Vangsnes Bergli said businesses continued to report difficulties finding the workers they need, particularly in health and care services.
She also highlighted the importance of bringing more people into the workforce to help businesses meet their staffing requirements.
9 Occupations Norway Needs Workers For in 2026
NAV’s survey identified nine occupations with particularly high demand across healthcare, industrial work and construction.
The occupations include:
- Health professionals: 3,650 workers short.
- Nurses: 1,850 workers short.
- Other health professions: 1,350 workers short.
- Construction machinery operators and industrial mechanics: Identified as occupations facing shortages within industrial work.
- Energy installers: Facing shortages within industrial work.
- Welders: Facing shortages within industrial work.
- Carpenters and joiners: 1,150 workers short.
- Electricians: 1,110 workers short.
- Other craftworkers: 950 workers short.
The figures show that demand extends beyond medical professionals, with technical and vocational skills also playing a significant role in Norway’s labour market.
NAV did not provide individual shortage figures for construction machinery operators and industrial mechanics, energy installers or welders in the published breakdown.
Healthcare Sector Records the Highest Worker Shortage
Healthcare, nursing and care services recorded the largest labour shortage, with approximately 9,200 positions unfilled in 2026.
This represents a reduction of 1,700 workers compared with the previous year. Despite the improvement, healthcare remains Norway’s most understaffed occupational group.
The shortage reflects continued demand for professionals who can support hospitals, care facilities and other health services.
The industrial sector recorded the second-largest gap, with an estimated 5,750 workers needed. Construction followed with 4,750 vacancies, despite a slowdown in the industry in recent years.
Bergli said the findings point to a persistent need for skilled workers, particularly people with vocational qualifications.
She identified health, industry and construction as the three occupational groups experiencing the greatest shortages.
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Which Regions in Norway Need the Most Workers?
The labour shortage is spread across several parts of Norway, with some regions reporting significantly higher demand than others.
According to the 2026 survey, the regions with the largest estimated worker shortages are:
- Vestland: 6,300 workers needed.
- Rogaland: 3,750 workers needed.
- Nordland: 2,950 workers needed.
Vestland recorded the highest shortage among the regions listed, followed by Rogaland and Nordland.
The regional figures provide an indication of where businesses are experiencing substantial recruitment difficulties.
Norwegian Businesses Continue to Struggle With Recruitment
The survey also examined how businesses have managed recruitment over the previous three months.
Approximately 18% of businesses said they had experienced difficulties recruiting workers. This was three percentage points lower than the previous year’s figure.
Among businesses that struggled to recruit, nearly 11% were unable to hire anyone, while close to 8% had to employ candidates with lower qualifications than they originally required.
The findings suggest that Norway’s labour shortage goes beyond the number of available vacancies. Employers are also struggling to find candidates with the specific skills and qualifications required for certain positions.
Does Norway’s Worker Shortage Mean Foreigners Can Easily Get Jobs?
The identification of occupations facing shortages could be useful to foreign jobseekers, including Nigerians interested in working in Norway.
Healthcare, nursing, industrial work and construction are among the areas where the survey recorded significant demand.
However, a reported labour shortage does not automatically mean that foreigners can secure employment or obtain a Norwegian work permit.
Foreign applicants still need to meet the relevant qualification, professional authorisation and immigration requirements for their intended jobs. Some regulated occupations, particularly in healthcare, may require recognition of qualifications and approval before an individual can practise.
Jobseekers should also distinguish between Norway’s demand for workers and the availability of employers willing to recruit internationally.
The 2026 NAV survey offers a picture of the country’s employment needs, but it does not establish a special visa route or guarantee employment for applicants in the nine occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many workers does Norway need in 2026?
Norway has an estimated labour shortage of 34,000 workers, according to the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration’s 2026 Business Survey.
2. Which occupations are most in demand in Norway?
The occupations identified include health professionals, nurses, other health professionals, construction machinery operators and industrial mechanics, energy installers, welders, carpenters and joiners, electricians, and other craftworkers.
3. Which sector has the highest worker shortage in Norway?
Healthcare, nursing and care services recorded the highest shortage, with approximately 9,200 workers needed in 2026.
4. Does Norway need foreign workers?
Norway’s labour shortage indicates demand for workers across several industries. However, foreign applicants must still meet the relevant employment, qualification and immigration requirements.
5. Which regions in Norway have the highest worker shortages?
Vestland recorded the highest estimated shortage at 6,300 workers, followed by Rogaland with 3,750 and Nordland with 2,950.
6. Can Nigerians apply for jobs in Norway?
Nigerians can pursue employment opportunities in Norway if they meet the requirements for the relevant positions and qualify under the country’s immigration rules. The labour shortage itself does not guarantee a job or work permit.
7. Does Norway’s 2026 labour survey provide a work visa for the nine occupations?
No. The survey identifies occupations experiencing worker shortages. It does not introduce a new visa programme or automatically grant foreign applicants permission to work in Norway.