The number of young people in Norway who are neither in work nor education has reached an alarming high, marking the first increase since the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (Nav) began tracking this data in 2017. This trend has raised concerns among officials, including Nav director Hans Christian Holte, who emphasizes the urgent need for employers to engage this demographic.

Despite the troubling statistics, regions like Rogaland, Akershus, and Vestland report the lowest rates of youth exclusion, with figures below 19 percent.

Holte insists that many young individuals are eager to work and must be given opportunities to contribute to the workforce.

The situation calls for collaborative efforts to reverse the trend and harness the potential of young talent in Norway.