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Nordic municipalities hunting for solutions

What happens when the local school is in danger of closing down? When the municipality lacks people to fill vacancies in the health and social care sector? These are the challenges facing Nordic municipalities. How do we solve them?

Nordic municipalities hunting for solutions - Read More…

Little, strong Utsira – life in Norway’s smallest municipality

Little, strong Utsira – life in Norway’s smallest municipality

When a young Julie Faldt Faurholt moved from Denmark’s smallest municipality – the island of Læsø – she was determined she would never live in such a small place again. But the island she lives on now is far smaller. With 217 people, Utsira is Norway’s smallest municipality.

Little, strong Utsira – life in Norway’s smallest municipality - Read More…

Rich in iron ore, poor in inhabitants

Rich in iron ore, poor in inhabitants

In Pajala in Northern Sweden, the local authority is grateful for the mine but also struggles to maintain and recruit workers.

Rich in iron ore, poor in inhabitants - Read More…

Municipal Denmark to unite freedom and control

Municipal Denmark to unite freedom and control

“Setting free” is the topic of the day in Danish municipal and national politics. It is seen as a possible key to delivering welfare services to citizens despite fewer resources and labour shortages. Helsingør municipality has had good experiences, but the upcoming local elections could throw a spanner in the works.

Municipal Denmark to unite freedom and control - Read More…

Finland's April elections a test for local power structure

Finland's April elections a test for local power structure

Finland holds municipal elections in April. At the same time, there are council elections in 21 so-called wellbeing services counties. After the healthcare reform, they will be responsible for social and healthcare services. But interest in running as a candidate and in voting seems to be falling. Perhaps due to a worsening economy and reduced municipal powers. Or because elections have become too frequent.

Finland's April elections a test for local power structure - Read More…

Municipal Nordics face common challenges

Municipal Nordics face common challenges

Municipalities across the Nordic region are under pressure from ageing populations, labour shortages and rising costs. The challenge is to deliver quality services in line with residents' growing expectations, according to the Nordic municipal organisations.

Municipal Nordics face common challenges - Read More…

The salmon millions keeping a small Norwegian island society alive

The salmon millions keeping a small Norwegian island society alive

Millions of kroner from the fish farming sector contribute to the community and activities in Frøya – from carnival and language cafés to the downpayment of municipal debts. But with most eggs in one basket, the municipality is vulnerable.

The salmon millions keeping a small Norwegian island society alive - Read More…

Who will look after Sweden’s growing elderly population as birth rates fall?

Who will look after Sweden’s growing elderly population as birth rates fall?

Between 2013 and 2023, the number of people in Sweden aged 25 to 60 rose by 455,000. By 2033, that number is expected to grow by a further 13,000 people. There is a similar development in the rest of the Nordics and the EU, which for many municipalities means severe labour shortages.

Who will look after Sweden’s growing elderly population as birth rates fall? - Read More…

12 recommendations to get more people in vulnerable groups into working life

12 recommendations to get more people in vulnerable groups into working life

The need to increase labour market participation among vulnerable groups in the Nordics has long been high on the Nordic Council of Ministers’ agenda. A new report points to flexibility, individually tailored support and cooperation with employers as the key to success. NAV employees in Trondheim are already on the ball.

12 recommendations to get more people in vulnerable groups into working life - Read More…

Sweden: Gender gap widens in education, economically and politically

Sweden: Gender gap widens in education, economically and politically

Women are significantly more represented in higher education, especially in rural areas - a trend that is repeated in all Nordic countries. It has given many women a better life with higher employment levels and wages. However, the development also shows that men are falling behind.

Sweden: Gender gap widens in education, economically and politically - Read More…

Nordic maritime sector sets sail towards greater gender equality

Nordic maritime sector sets sail towards greater gender equality

Men still dominate the maritime industry. In certain onboard professions, women are almost absent. Creating a secure working environment for everyone, regardless of gender, is crucial to make the industry more equal, argue the initiators of the Nordic REDO Lookout project.

Nordic maritime sector sets sail towards greater gender equality - Read More…

Equality under pressure – how the Nordics are fighting back

Equality under pressure – how the Nordics are fighting back

More than 50 years after the cooperation on gender equality began, the Nordics are doubling down on the promise to ensure that the region will continue to lead the way in the fight for equality and inclusion.

Equality under pressure – how the Nordics are fighting back - Read More…

The Nordics lag behind in the fight against economic crime

The Nordics lag behind in the fight against economic crime

Economic crime is a threat to the Nordic welfare societies, warned this year’s conference on the black economy. The fight against creative and innovative criminals needs more resources and better legislation, the trade union movement argues.

The Nordics lag behind in the fight against economic crime - Read More…

Icelandic fisheries risk zero capelin catch for the second year in a row

Icelandic fisheries risk zero capelin catch for the second year in a row

Capelin has been one of the most valuable species for the Icelandic fisheries industry and general economy this past decade. Its importance has varied, but throughout this century capelin products have accounted for 17 per cent of fisheries exports and 8 per cent of the market value, making it an important part of the industry.

Icelandic fisheries risk zero capelin catch for the second year in a row - Read More…

AFI research: The sick leave debate needs readjusting

AFI research: The sick leave debate needs readjusting

Norway has one of the highest sick leave levels in the world. So far, no remedies have proven effective. The debate about sick leave and social exclusion sometimes needs a bit of guidance to stop it from going off track, says AFI researchers.

AFI research: The sick leave debate needs readjusting - Read More…

AFI and Arbeidsliv i Norden: A Nordic view of working life

AFI and Arbeidsliv i Norden: A Nordic view of working life

The Norwegian Work Research Institute AFI turns 60 this year. For 24 of those years, the institute has published Arbeidsliv i Norden (the Nordic Labour Journal) on commission from the Nordic Council of Ministers.

AFI and Arbeidsliv i Norden: A Nordic view of working life - Read More…

Could fewer international students damage Norway’s international standing?

Could fewer international students damage Norway’s international standing?

The number of international students in Norway is falling dramatically. Fewer Norwegian students are going abroad and fewer international students are arriving. A loss for Norway, argue educational experts.

Could fewer international students damage Norway’s international standing? - Read More…

Finland: Strong collaboration against work-related crime

Finland: Strong collaboration against work-related crime

The shadow economy and economic crime, illegal work and the exploitation of labour will be some of the priorities when Finland takes over the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025.

Finland: Strong collaboration against work-related crime - Read More…

Improved Nordic labour market statistics provide better insights

Improved Nordic labour market statistics provide better insights

The Nordic Statistics Database, a collaboration between the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Swedish statistics and research company Statisticon, has undergone huge developments. This will benefit anyone working with comparative Nordic assessment statistics in working life.

Improved Nordic labour market statistics provide better insights - Read More…

Tight Nordic-Baltic cooperation against work-related crime

Tight Nordic-Baltic cooperation against work-related crime

Work-related crime is a growing problem that requires cross-border collaboration between state authorities and countries. For several years, a Nordic-Baltic collaboration on work-related crime has been in place. In January 2025, it will be formalised on the initiative of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Tight Nordic-Baltic cooperation against work-related crime - Read More…

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Unemployment in the Nordic region 2018

Source: Nordregio

Map made by Gustaf Norlén, Nordregio

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Danish: arbejdsmarked

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