Strong figures for entrepreneurs

Never before has such a large share of the population been involved in a start-up. One in ten people in Norway is now involved in a start-up, compared with an average of seven per cent in the years before the pandemic.

More young entrepreneurs

The survey also shows that 11 per cent of people aged 18 to 34 are involved in entrepreneurship in Norway. This marks clear progress from the 2023 survey, when the figure was just five per cent. This year, Norway has a higher proportion of young people involved in entrepreneurial activity than Sweden and 20 other countries.

The GEM figures align with data from Statistics Norway and increased demand for our startup support schemes, including growing interest in our student entrepreneurship programme.

Productive sectors

Norwegian start-ups are more likely to enter sectors with high margins and strong potential for international growth. Put simply, in Norway we are more likely to start technology companies than grocery shops and hair salons. In fact, of the 51 countries surveyed, only Germany, Luxembourg, Croatia and Slovenia score higher than Norway.

Innovative products and services

Twelve per cent of respondents in Norway say their product or service brings 'something new to the world'. This is up from nine per cent last year. Norway has the second-highest percentage among the 51 countries.

Norwegian entrepreneurs are therefore more likely than entrepreneurs in other countries to say that they are innovative. In only four countries have more than 10 per cent of entrepreneurs introduced new products or services to the world: Taiwan, Norway, Italy and Cyprus.

Growth ambitions

In many of the 51 countries, a large proportion of entrepreneurs say they do not plan to hire anyone else over the next five years. This is not the case in Norway. In fact, 30 per cent of entrepreneurs in Norway say they plan to hire at least six people over the next five years.

Norway needs many more promising entrepreneurs, so this is a very good starting point. But a strong start is not enough. The main challenge is to grow the business, says Håkon Haugli, our CEO.

GEM is a major international research project that compares entrepreneurship across 51 countries each year. The GEM survey includes interviews with 2,000 people in Norway. Nord University Business School conducts the Norwegian part of the survey with funding from us. Read the full survey here: GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor