Immigrants by reason for immigration, 1 January 2007

In 2006 there were 29 500 immigrations from non-Nordic countries. 11 700 of these persons immigrated due to labour. Polish citizens made up the largest group of labour immigrants in 2006 at 65 per cent. 11 300 persons that immigrated to Norway in 2006 came as family immigrants. Since 2004 the labour immigration has almost tripled, from 4 000 to 11 600 persons.

7 out of 10 still here

In the period between 1990 and 2006 more than 284 000 persons with non-Nordic citizenship immigrated to Norway. About 122 000 (43 per cent) immigrated as family immigrants. Approximately one third have arrived as refugees (29 per cent), while 16 per cent immigrated due to labour. 11 per cent got permission for education. 70 per cent of those who immigrated in 1990 still live in Norway.

Most Iraqis

If we look at the period between 1990 and 2006, 18 300 Iraqis citizens immigrated to Norway. They made up the largest group of immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship, followed by immigrants from Serbia and Montenegro, Poland and Somalia with more than 15 000 persons each.

People from Thailand- united with persons without immigrant background

Of 11 300 persons that immigrated to Norway as family immigrants, almost 7 000 came on family reunification while 4 500 immigrated for family to get married (for family establishment through a marriage). Of the people reunited with their spouse without immigrant background the majority, almost 600, came from Thailand.

8 out of 10 refugees stay in the country

The reason for immigration is significant to see whether immigrants leave the country or not. Among those who immigrated as refugees in the period between 1990 and 2005, 82 percent still lived in Norway in 2006. On the other hand, among those who immigrated for education only 38 percent lived here on the 1. January 2007.

Mostly Polish citizens

Polish citizens made up the largest group of non-Nordic immigrants in 2006 with 7 300, followed by Germans and Lithuanians. Polish citizens came mostly as labour immigrants.

The majority of the people that immigrated to Norway between 1990 and 2006 were women. There are however differences between the sexes when it comes to reason for immigration.

93 per cent of those who immigrated due to labour were men, while 56 per cent of people that immigrated as family immigrants were women.

Tables:

• Table 1 First-time immigrations among first generation immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship, by reason for immigration, year of immigration and first citizenship. Western and non-western citizenship. 1990-2006
• Table 2 First-time immigrations among first generation immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship, by first citizenship and reason for immigration. 1990-2006
• Table 3 First-time immigrations among first generation immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship, by citizenship and reason for immigration. 2006
• Table 4 First-time immigrations among first generation immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship, by reason for immigration, first year in Norway and residential status 1 January 2007
• Table 5 First-time immigrations among first generation immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship, by citizenship, familyunification and reason for immigration. 2006 and 1990-2006
• Table 6 First-time immigrations among first foreign born with non-Nordic citizenship with family as reason for immigration, by familyunification and year. 2006
• Table 8 First-time immigrations among first generation immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship, by reason for immigration, sex and age. Year of immigration 1990-2006
• Table 8 Immigrations, first-time immigrations and first generation immigrants with non-Nordic citizenship by reason for immigration. 1990-2006