Urban and regional labour market mobility in Norway

Abstract

Across Europe the competitiveness of urban and regional labour markets becomes an increasingly important task for regional and sector policies. Efficient matching of local demand and supply of labour at different qualification levels is considered to be an important prerequisite both for economic growth and social cohesion in every region. This study contains the main results of a research project analysing the urban and regional labour market mobility in Norway. The main purpose of the study is to present some analyses of the mobility performance and competitiveness of cities and regions in terms of growth of employment and especially focusing on the number and quality of the persons that enter and leave the local labour markets. The project has been included in the research programme of the Norwegian Research Council: "Urban development - driving forces and planning challenges". The project also formed part of a co-operation with the Norwegian Ministry of Labour and Government.