Educational attainment of the population in Norway 2023

As of 2023, 37 percent of Norwegians had achieved a higher education, representing the most common educational level attained in the country. The Norwegian education system is divided into three levels: primary school, upper secondary school, and higher education. While primary school is compulsory for everyone between six and 16 years, upper secondary school is an optional three-year long education, leading either to vocational- or higher education.

Highly educated population

Since 2010, the number of students in higher education increased, reaching nearly 312,000 students in 2023. There were more female students, and the university with the highest number of students is the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in the city of Trondheim.

Education levels in Scandinavia

When considering the rest of Scandinavia, similar patterns appear. In both Sweden and Denmark, the population is gradually becoming more educated, and the number of students in higher education increased over the past decade. In 2023, approximately 24 percent of Swedes had a higher education of three years or more, while 12 percent of Danes had completed a master’s degree the same year.