The demand for labor in Norway saw a notable decline, with the number of job vacancies dropping by nearly 11,000 throughout 2025, according to Statistics Norway (SSB). In the fourth quarter of 2025, there were 85,000 job vacancies, reflecting a 5.1% decrease from the previous quarter. This marks a significant downturn from the high levels observed during 2022 to 2024, where the number of job vacancies frequently exceeded 100,000 each quarter.

The trend of declining job vacancies has become pronounced, especially following the fourth quarter of 2024, when the numbers dropped below the 100,000 mark for the first time in nearly three years. The average number of vacancies per quarter in 2025 stood at 89,700, a decrease from the 101,300 vacancies average in 2024. SSB's data has indicated a generally stable vacancy level until 2021, with a marked increase beginning in 2022; however, the current trajectory suggests a reversal of this trend as the economy adjusts.

In the last quarter of 2025, the available job vacancies accounted for 2.7% of the total job market, which is a slight decrease compared to the previous quarter. Analysts, including SSB’s senior advisor Stine Bakke, have commented on the implications of these figures. An increased percentage of job vacancies can often indicate a tightening labor market, but the continued decline in the absolute number of vacancies suggests a cooling demand for labor, which could have further ramifications for the economy and employment landscape in Norway.