Norway report shows declining positive attitudes toward immigrants

A new report from the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) indicates that Norwegians are becoming increasingly less positive toward immigrants. For the third consecutive year, the number of people expressing positive attitudes toward immigrants has declined, although a majority still maintains a positive stance.

The report highlights significant socioeconomic challenges faced by immigrant populations. Approximately 47 percent of immigrant children and 25 percent of Norwegian-born children with immigrant parents live in households with persistent low income, compared to just 5 percent of the general population. Additionally, the unemployment rate among immigrants is four times higher than that of the rest of the population.

Data also shows that individuals with immigrant backgrounds experience higher rates of discrimination, hate speech, and violence. Specifically, 68 percent of people with immigrant backgrounds reported experiencing discrimination during their lives, compared to 43 percent of the general population. IMDi Director Libe Rieber-Mohn noted that immigrant children and youth are significantly overrepresented as victims of abuse in close relationships.