We are looking for innovative women
Statistics Norway bases its conclusions on the latest available figures from 2021. The corresponding figure for 2020 was 12 per cent.
'We are not satisfied with the low proportion of women. Greater diversity will generate more ideas, fresh perspectives and new solutions. We all share responsibility for developing our society. In the years ahead, Norway will need many more talented entrepreneurs from all parts of the population,' says Haugli.
Anne Dingstad is CEO of Saga Robotics, which developed the Thorvald agricultural robot. The robot can perform a range of agricultural tasks. The company is based in Oslo, a county where the proportion of women is slightly above average. In Oslo, 16 per cent of the companies we supported in 2021 had a female CEO.
Highest proportion of women in Troms and Finnmark
The proportion of women was highest in Troms and Finnmark (21 per cent), followed by Rogaland (19.9 per cent) and Nordland (19.5 per cent).
Møre og Romsdal had the lowest proportion of women. In Møre og Romsdal, 7.7 per cent of the companies we supported had a female CEO. See the figures for all counties in the table:
CEO
Proportion of women
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Viken
16.2%
10.6%
12.5%
7.9%
14.4%
Oslo
16.4%
17.0%
15.2%
12.8%
15.9%
Innlandet
11.5%
17.3%
21.9%
15.5%
11.8%
Vestfold and Telemark
13.4%
8.9%
13.9%
5.4%
13.2%
Agder
13.6%
13.9%
16.0 %
6.8%
10.8%
Rogaland
7.3%
13.0%
8.2%
8.1%
19.9%
Vestland
11.2%
16.7 %
13.8%
14.4%
12.4%
Møre og Romsdal
6.0%
6.5%
12.4%
13.7%
7.7%
Trøndelag
5.2%
15.6%
12.2%
13.3%
13.5%
Nordland
20.7%
13.5%
20.4%
17.4%
19.5%
Troms and Finnmark
20.9%
12.4%
17.6%
19.5%
21.0%
TOTAL
12.2%
13.5%
14.4%
11.7%
14.4%
Possible reasons for the low proportion of women:
- women lack role models and networks
- women are often underrepresented in technology companies and industry, where much of today's innovation takes place.
- Women may face greater challenges than men in accessing capital. One reason often cited is that the finance sector tends to be male-dominated. There are few women in start-ups and few female investors, which weakens the entire ecosystem supporting women entrepreneurs.
We encourage women to apply for the EU's WomanTech EU call, which gives women leading technology companies access to capital, networks and mentors. We also showcase female role models at regional and national events and through other channels.
Women are underrepresented as CEOs in Norwegian business in general.