Ukrainians in Norway: the country’s government is observing an increase in the flow of young men from Ukraine, so it will apply restrictions
The reception of Ukrainian citizens in Norway in recent years has become an important component of the country’s migration and economic policy. Currently, more than 100 thousand refugees have been given the opportunity to live, work and integrate into society. The increase in the flow of young men from Ukraine in recent months has attracted the attention of the Norwegian government, as this requires a coordinated approach to registration, support and provision of basic needs, and also allows assessing the potential economic and social impact of Ukrainian citizens on local residents.
Statement by the Prime Minister of Norway
During a joint press conference in Kyiv, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre noted that Ukrainians living in the country make a significant contribution to the development of the economy and social sphere. He emphasized that Norway does not send Ukrainian citizens back to their homeland and provides stable conditions for those who arrive. At the same time, the country maintains close contact with Ukrainian partners to coordinate this process.
The Prime Minister paid special attention to young men arriving in the country, noting that their integration is the subject of a coordinated policy and does not affect the Ukrainian mobilization or defense process.
Integration and economic contribution
According to Jonas Gar Stere, Ukrainian citizens have a positive impact on the Norwegian economy by participating in various sectors of labor and social life. They provide additional labor, contribute to the replenishment of tax revenues, and create conditions for the development of cultural and educational exchange.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that later Ukrainians will be able to return to their homeland and apply the acquired skills and experience for the development of Ukraine, which creates the prospect of mutually beneficial interaction between states.
At the same time, the Minister of Justice Astri Aas-Hansen emphasized that Norway’s immigration policy must remain manageable, long-term balanced, and fair. According to her, since the fall of 2025, the country, like a number of other European countries, has been recording an increase in the number of young men from Ukraine arriving on its territory. At the same time, Norway has already accepted the largest number of Ukrainian citizens among the countries of Northern Europe. To prevent excessive load, the authorities consider it necessary to strengthen control over new arrivals.
In the near future, the government will submit for public discussion an initiative that provides that Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60, with certain exceptions, will no longer be able to receive temporary collective protection in Norway. Instead, they will have the right to apply for asylum according to the standard procedure.
In addition, Minister of Labor and Integration Kiersti Stenseng noted that the country should not accept more people than it can integrate. She emphasized that the resettlement of refugees is carried out by municipalities on a voluntary basis, and in recent years, local communities have accommodated almost 100 thousand displaced Ukrainians. However, many municipalities report an overload of social services and a shortage of housing.
The new restrictions will only apply to those who apply for protection after the changes come into force, and will not affect those who already have temporary collective protection status. Exceptions are also provided for men who are officially exempted from military service or are unfit for it, for those evacuated under medical programs, and for parents who are raising children alone in Norway. The government plans to adopt the relevant changes by Easter, after which they will enter into force immediately.
Support and strategic partnership
Norway supports Ukrainians not only at the household and economic level, but also through the strategic partnership between the two countries. Following the meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, agreements were announced in areas that can ensure mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Norway’s approach is based on the principle of stability for arriving citizens and maintaining an open channel of communication with the Ukrainian authorities, which allows for coordination of integration issues and ensuring the rights of migrants.
Demographic trends and challenges
Recent months have shown a noticeable increase in the number of young men among Ukrainian migrants, which creates new challenges for the Norwegian government in terms of providing services, social support, and monitoring legal employment. At the same time, this process opens up opportunities for attracting qualified labor and strengthening bilateral relations, since the effective integration of Ukrainians into Norwegian society contributes to maintaining stability and mutually beneficial cooperation at the state level.
The presence of over 100 thousand Ukrainians in Norway and the growing number of young men demonstrate the need for a systemic approach to the reception and integration of refugees. Support for Ukrainians in the field of employment, housing and social services, as well as the strategic partnership between Kyiv and Oslo create conditions for the stable development of both countries and lay the foundation for the future return of displaced people to Ukraine, where they will be able to apply the acquired knowledge and experience for the benefit of their own state.
