The Norwegian Government asks the municipalities to settle 35 000 refugees in 2023
Press release | Date: 25/11/2022 | Last updated: 26/11/2022 | Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion
The war in Ukraine is ongoing, and millions of people have had to flee from their home country. The Norwegian Government is now asking Norwegian municipalities to prepare to receive many refugees next year as well.
‘Norwegian municipalities have managed to settle a record number of refugees at unprecedented speed. I am proud and grateful to everyone who has made this possible. Norwegian municipalities, local communities, schools, kindergartens, volunteers and neighbourhoods – many people have warmly welcomed the refugees who seek shelter in our country. We will continue to be there for them in the time ahead. Together we will be able to offer the arriving refugees a safe and good stay in Norway,’ says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Over 32 000 refugees have been settled so far this year or are on the way to being settled. All of the country’s municipalities settle refugees. Most of the refugees settled are from Ukraine, and have temporary collective protection.
‘I am very impressed by the efforts of the municipalities, the county administrations and the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi). The sound work by the municipalities is key to our success. I am now encouraging them all to make decisions for next year that take this request into account as well,’ says Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion Marte Mjøs Persen.
Targeted settlement
IMDi is the agency asking the municipalities to settle refugees. IMDi publishes figures which show how many people each municipality has been asked to settle next year. Settling refugees is a voluntary matter for the municipalities. The lessons learned from the settlement work so far this year play an important part in terms of the request to the municipalities for next year.
The Norwegian Government expects most people who received temporary protection in 2022 to remain in Norway next year. The latest figures indicate that many people will apply for continued protection in 2023.