Our research topics
Labour relations | Skills | Migration and integration | Welfare research
Fafo's research are centered around the following five research areas. These pages will guide you to more specific research topics and pages offering information about our researchers, publications and projects.
Labour relations
The EU expansions in 2004 and 2007 led to significant labour immigration to Norway. This provided businesses with access to labour but also brought challenges such as low-wage competition and labour market crime. Fafo researches how wages and working conditions are under pressure, as well as the working conditions for foreign workers.
A key question, both in Norway and internationally, is whether we will see a more two-tier working life, where the gap between "good" and "bad" jobs increases. Is the labour market moving towards a greater divide between permanent, full-time positions with good development opportunities and jobs with various forms of atypical attachment characterized by uncertainty?
Digitalisation and climate change are two of the so-called megatrends affecting the labour market specifically. New technologies and the green transition required to meet climate goals are influencing the job market and the nature of work. Both work practices and industries are changing, impacting conditions and opportunities. Fafo's research helps to understand these processes.
Skills
Dropout from upper secondary education, particularly in vocational education and training, and among boys with an immigrant background, is a continuous concern in the public debate. The media’s focus is directed towards political interventions, social inequalities and youth risking permanent labour market marginalisation.
Migration and integration
Immigration has existed in Norway for many centuries. According to Statistics Norway (Statistisk sentralbyrå), immigrants, who stem from 200 countries, presently make up 14 per cent of the overall population.