According to a press release from the Norwegian Directorate for Integration and Diversity (IMDi), 8,680 refugees are expected to be resettled in Norway in 2027, almost 2,000 fewer than the 10,500 this year.
This marks the lowest projected number since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, Norwegian municipalities have resettled over 110,000 refugees.
"There has been a marked decline in recent years, but from a historically high level. The number to be resettled next year is still significant in a Norwegian context," said Libe Rieber-Mohn, director of IMDi.
Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion Kjersti Stenseng also explained in a statement: "The Labour Party government has taken a number of steps to limit the number of displaced people coming to Norway. We are now seeing the results of that. We will not accept more than we can integrate, while continuing to stand up for Ukraine and ensure a safe stay for displaced people in Norway."
The ministry said that several municipalities are experiencing pressure on housing markets and local public services (such as schools, kindergartens, and health and care facilities) following several years of high settlement numbers. Authorities also pointed out that secondary migration is an issue, as refugees sometimes move away from the municipality where they first settled.
In response, officials are introducing tighter criteria for resettlement requests next year, which they say will help with integration and prevent segregation.
"The government has changed the criteria for requests to avoid settling refugees in areas with big challenges and to make it easier to find work quickly. Because of this, municipalities like Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg, and Halden will not be asked to settle refugees in 2027," Stenseng said.
Norway's largest municipalities have all had their resettlement targets reduced for 2027. Oslo has been asked to settle 390 refugees, down from 600 in 2026. Bergen will take 180, compared to 200 this year, while Trondheim's target drops from 450 to 380, and Stavanger will receive 130, down from 164.
At the regional level, counties in central, western, and northern Norway are set to take in the largest shares of newcomers. Trøndelag has the highest quota with 1,240 people, followed by Vestland with 980 and Nordland with 845.
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