Oslo at a Glance

Working in Oslo

Oslo's seaport not only accommodated cargo ships but also passenger ships from Sweden or Germany.

Working in Oslo offers great work opportunities, a strong economy, and much more. For instance, expats working in Oslo benefit from the Norway’s social welfare system and a healthy life and work balance. Read our guide to working in Oslo for info on the economy, the job search, etiquette, and more.

Working in Oslo: The Economy

Expats working in Oslo profit from a diverse economy which has one of the highest regional GDPs in Europe and makes up a significant percentage of the total national GDP. Indeed, expatriates working in Oslo find themselves at the economic center of Norway.

The city has an important seaport, which is home to nearly 900 companies and over 8,000 employees working in Oslo. Large shipping companies as well as insurance and ship brokers are based here, for instance. Oslo Havn accommodates both cargo ships and passenger ships from Denmark or Germany.

Are you curious about working in Oslo but do not see yourself in the ship industry? You may find work with De Norske Veritas for example. DNV is a major classification society which is located in Høvik, close to Oslo. It has over 16% of the world fleet in its register and is therefore a major global player.

Working in Oslo: Facts and Figures

There are about 600,000 people working in Oslo, 86% of whom are employed in financial or high-tech related industries. 14% of the work force is currently working in Oslo’s primary sectors and in manufacturing. Oslo has a population of 1.1 million people. The local unemployment rate was at 3.8% in 2010.

The research and development sectors are quite strong in Oslo. 45% of all of Norway’s research and development activity is located in the capital, with 15 universities, four science parks and 11 R&D Centers of Excellence. Working in Oslo allows you to benefit from a business-friendly and open environment. It is not surprising that over 115,000 registered companies are located in Oslo, 24% of all companies in Norway.

Working in Oslo: Important Sectors

Oslo is home to some of the most important business sectors in Norway. Not only is it a great location in terms of its close proximity to the sea, it also offers an excellent infrastructure. In this section, we would like to introduce expats who are curious about working in Oslo to the city’s most important sectors.

Working in Oslo: Research and Development

Oslo’s research and development sector mostly focuses on advancements in energy production. Due to Norway’s experience with hydropower and offshore petroleum development, this does not come as a surprise. Many expats employed in that field are working in Oslo, the main location for energy research and development. The majority of research institutions are located in close proximity to the University of Oslo and focus on renewable energy and petroleum-related issues.

Other important institutions in the field of research and development are the Norwegian Geotechnical Research Institute, the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research, and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. However, it is the Oslo Innovation Center which is the leading business incubator in the region. Located in the heart of the Gaustadbekk Valley, it focuses on environmental technology and other fields of research and development.

Working in Oslo: ICT

Norway is considered one of the world’s leading information societies and has a highly developed mobile market. The Oslo region is a key location in the development of new information and communication technology products, due to the strong R&D environment and the unique expertise of people working in Oslo. Aside from new business start-ups which have settled in Oslo in recent years, many expats working in Oslo have found an occupation at international companies such as Google or Microsoft.

If you are curious about working in Oslo’s ICT sector, you will be happy to learn that there are quite a few companies which contribute to the growing mobile and wireless industry in Oslo. Trandberg, which is known for its video conference systems, Kongsberg Group, which is responsible for developing technical products, and Wireless Future (Trådløs Fremdit) are just a few examples. It is, however, Telenor which is one of the fastest growing mobile communications services providers worldwide.