Earlier this winter, Norwegian municipalities were requested to settle just over 13,000 refugees by 2026. However, the Labor and Inclusion Ministry has now adjusted this figure upwards to 16,000, based on projections indicating that the need for refugee resettlement will rise in the coming years. Minister Kjersti Stenseng noted that the world is becoming more unstable and it is increasingly difficult to estimate how many refugees will arrive in Norway and require resettlement, especially as high numbers of young men from Ukraine have entered the country recently.

Stenseng emphasized that Norway cannot accept more refugees than it has the capacity to successfully integrate. Several municipalities are reporting pressure on their services due to the challenge of accommodating and integrating these individuals. This highlights the ongoing issues faced by local governments in providing adequate resources and support for incoming refugees, an aspect that must be taken seriously as the situation develops.

Despite the increased target for refugee settlement, it was just revealed that Norwegian municipalities won't meet the previous goal of resettling 13,000 refugees by 2026. Reports from approximately 200 of the 332 municipalities show a significant shortfall, raising concerns about the discrepancy and the ability of local authorities to handle future refugee population increases effectively.