Fertility rates in Norway are increasing, particularly among women aged 30-34, while immigrant women's fertility rates have fallen below the national average due to trends associated with immigration from countries like Ukraine.
Recent statistics from Statistics Norway (SSB) reveal a continued increase in fertility rates in the country, with particular growth observed among women aged 30 to 34. Senior advisor Espen Andersen points out that the average age of first-time mothers has stabilized at 30.4 years, while first-time fathers average 32.3 years. This trend suggests that Norwegian women are choosing to have children later in life but are not necessarily experiencing a decline in fertility overall.
Conversely, the fertility rate among immigrant women has decreased significantly, dropping to 1.44 in 2025, which is lower than the national average for Norway for the first time. This decline is attributed to various factors, including the high number of recent immigrants from Ukraine, where the fertility rate is notably low at 0.88. In comparison, women from Syria and Eritrea have higher rates of 2.34 and 2.81, respectively. These statistics illustrate a contrasting trend between native Norwegian women and immigrant populations.
The implications of this demographic shift are multifaceted, impacting social and economic policies in Norway. With immigrant women facing lower fertility rates, it could influence future population growth and workforce dynamics in a country that traditionally relies on immigration to counterbalance aging demographics. As SSB further investigates these trends, understanding the causes behind the declining fertility rates among specific immigrant groups will be crucial for addressing potential challenges and planning for the future.
