Norway labor report highlights gender gaps and youth stress

The latest YS Labor Life Barometer reveals significant challenges within the Norwegian workforce. A major finding highlights a gender imbalance in the ‘third shift’—the invisible mental load of household planning and coordination. Approximately 80 percent of Norwegian women report performing the majority of household planning, a task where men report much higher levels of perceived equality.

Younger workers (under 30) are increasingly struggling with job mastery and mental health. This group reports higher stress levels and a growing fear that work demands will negatively impact their long-term health. In sectors such as healthcare, education, and childcare, the feeling of not meeting professional expectations is particularly acute.

Regarding employment trends, Nav reports a decrease in the number of young adults outside of work and education, though many new hires are entering through subsidized programs or internships rather than permanent positions. Additionally, a report from Fafo indicates that one in four part-time employees in the municipal sector is working part-time involuntarily, challenging the notion that most part-time work is a choice.