The number of young Norwegians receiving work assessment allowance (AAP) has been steadily increasing, with 148,000 individuals, or 4.1% of the population, receiving these benefits by the end of 2023. This marks a significant rise from 114,100 recipients in 2019, according to Statistics Norway (SSB).

A concerning trend is the growing number of AAP recipients aged 18-20 who have not completed high school and often come from low-income households.

The Norwegian government is worried about this trend, as it reflects broader issues of youth unemployment and educational attainment.

Efforts are being called for to address these underlying problems and reduce dependency on welfare among young people.