Case study report - Oslo

Oslo, the capital of Norway, is both the country’s largest city and its primary economic, political, and cultural centre. Located at the head of the Oslofjord and surrounded by extensive forested areas, the city combines relatively high environmental ambitions with strong demographic and housing market pressures. Over the last two decades, Oslo has experienced sustained population growth, driven by internal migration and international immigration, placing increasing strain on housing provision, infrastructure, and land use.

As of the mid-2020s, Oslo has a population of approximately 710,000 residents, while the wider metropolitan region exceeds 1.5 million inhabitants. Demographically, the city is characterised by a relatively young population compared to the national average, with a strong concentration of young adults and working-age residents, although population ageing is expected to accelerate in the coming decades. Oslo is also Norway’s most diverse city. Individuals with an immigrant background, defined as immigrants and Norwegian-born children of immigrants, most commonly from Ukraine, Poland, Syria, Somalia and Sweden, already constitute a substantial share of the population, and this proportion is projected to continue rising. In line with national trends, people with immigrant backgrounds are expected to make up close to one-third of the population by the mid-2040s. This demographic dynamic contributes to the city’s social diversity but also intersects with patterns of residential segregation and inequality.