Poles no longer help. Norway is struggling with an economic crisis

Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg highlighted that the lack of workforce poses the greatest threat to the country's economy, comparing it to the impact of the Black Death. He warned that the working-age population is projected to decline, while the elderly population will increase, leading to higher demand for healthcare services. Norway's employment rate has stagnated at around 80%, falling behind other European countries. Stoltenberg emphasized the need to increase both the number of workers and the working hours of current employees. Additionally, the influx of Polish workers, which previously helped mitigate labor shortages, has significantly decreased, with only 1,820 Poles arriving for work in 2025, marking a drastic decline.