The number of ICT specialists has increased by 40 per cent in ten years
Despite a significant growth in the number of ICT specialists over the past ten years, a new ICT report states that there is still a persistent need for digital competence in Norway.
Large growth in ICT specialists over the past decade
Norway has gained 40 per cent more ICT specialists since 2015, according to an ICT report prepared in 2025 by Socio-economic Analysis in collaboration with Abelia, Akershus County Council, EL and IT Forbundet, Finance Norway, Finansforbundet, Negotia, NHO, NHO Elektro and Tekna.
In total, more than 116,000 people now work with ICT in Norway. This is a significantly higher growth than in other occupations, which have increased by an average of 10 per cent.
More ICT specialists are being trained – but the gap may persist
The government's investment in IT education has had an effect. The number of graduates from tertiary vocational schools, universities and university colleges has increased markedly. But the report warns that this will not necessarily meet demand in the future – especially after several temporary study places were cut after the pandemic. Towards 2030, we risk being without enough professionals to meet the needs of working life.
The report's main scenario indicates a further increase in the number of ICT specialists by around two per cent annually until 2030.
NITO's needs survey shows that there is still a need for more engineers and technologists. This picture is confirmed, among other things, by NHO's competence barometer.
