How Many Black People Live In Norway? [2024]

As of 2023, Norway’s population includes approximately 105,817 individuals of African descent or who identify as Black, according to Statistics Norway. This represents around 1.9% of Norway’s total population, reflecting the country’s diverse demographic composition.

Norway has a reputation for having a good quality of life and excellent social assistance programs. On the other hand, the country is well known for its predominantly white population.

This begs the question: how many black people live in Norway? In this article, we will discuss the historical context of black immigration to Norway.

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History of Black Immigration to Norway

The arrival of black sailors from West Africa and the Caribbean in Norwegian ports marked the beginning of the black migration to Norway, which began in the early 1900s.

Hans Jager Hansen, who was born on St. Croix in the Virgin Islands and moved to Oslo, Norway, in 1892, is known to be the first person of African descent to permanently live in Norway.

Since that time, the number of people of African descent who have immigrated to Norway has continuously increased. This increase has been especially notable since the 1960s when guest workers from Turkey, Pakistan, and other nations began arriving.

The migration of black people to Norway can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the availability of educational and employment possibilities as well as the pursuit of asylum or refugee status.

The bulk of black immigrants in Norway come from Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, at least according to Statistics Norway. The cities of Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger are where the majority of Norway’s black population may be found.

On the other hand, black immigrants in Norway confront a number of obstacles. The most significant challenges that black immigrants experience include linguistic and cultural barriers, difficulty securing jobs, and employment-related challenges.

Additionally, there is a lack of support and resources for integrating into society, which contributes to feelings of isolation and exclusion.

The Population of Black People Living in Norway

Around 877,227 individuals (representing 16% of the total population) residing in Norway are immigrants per estimation by Statistics Norway. Out of this number, 105,817 (1.9% of the total population) are blacks or of African descent (Norway 2023).

The table below summarizes the data relating to immigrants in Norway.

Racism and Discrimination Against Black People in Norway

In Norway, black people face economic unfairness just like everyone else.

In addition to having a higher likelihood of living in poverty, the unemployment rate for black individuals is higher than the average for the nation. In addition, black women in Norway endure intersectional discrimination because of both their color and their gender.

Regrettably, black individuals in Norway also face racism and prejudice throughout the country. Profiling people based on their race, verbal harassment, and being excluded from social events are all examples of common types of racism.

The Norwegian Center against Racism discovered in a poll that 23 percent of African respondents had been victims of racism in the form of physical violence or threats.

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It is possible that racism has a catastrophic effect on the lives of black people in Norway.

They could struggle with mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, and it might be difficult for them to get access to healthcare services because of language limitations.

Furthermore, racism can result in social isolation, missed opportunities, and a lack of trust in established institutions, all of which are negative outcomes.

Anti-discrimination laws, diversity initiatives, and awareness campaigns are some of the ways Norway is working to combat racism and other forms of prejudice.

Affirmative action measures have been adopted in both the educational system and the labor market as part of the Norwegian government’s efforts to encourage diversity and inclusion.

On the other hand, a significant number of black people in Norway believe that these efforts are insufficient and that more work has to be done to address the systematic racism and discrimination that exist in the country.

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Racism and Discrimination Against Black People in Norway

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Some Frequently Asked Questions

How many Africans are in Norway?

Who is the largest immigrant in Norway?

Europeans are the largest number of immigrants in Norway. 499,150 immigrants representing 9.1% of the total Norwegian population are of European origins, at least according to Statistics Norway, March 2023

How many immigrants are in Norway?

According to Statistics Norway’s estimate, approximately 877,227 people which is equivalent to 16% of the total population in Norway are immigrants.

Which district in Norway has the most blacks or people of African descent?

The Oslo electoral district has the largest population of African immigrants. 40,438 representing 5.94% of the total population of those in the electoral district.

So, there you have it…

It is difficult to gather accurate numbers; however, it has been estimated that there are roughly 105,800 people in Norway who come from African ancestry. Immigrants of African descent in Norway confront a number of hurdles, including difficulties in locating jobs, cultural barriers, and language barriers.

Moreover, persons of African descent in Norway are grossly underrepresented in a variety of social situations, and they are subjected to racism and discrimination on a consistent basis. Ongoing efforts are being made to tackle racism and prejudice, but more work has to be done to address these issues.

It is essential for Norway to acknowledge the contributions that black people have made and continue to make to the country, and it is also essential for the country to work toward the creation of a society that is more welcoming of individuals of all backgrounds and strives to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

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