If we are to believe Statistics Norway’s latest population statistics, Nordland comes out worst in the counties, where the population is expected to decline by almost 2 per cent until 2050. Here are five reasons why we can jointly put the forecasts to shame and create strong population growth in the north and large parts of District Norway. Firstly, the models fortunately miss some premises. It is especially in Narvik and Mo i Rana that Statistics Norway expects a larger decline in population. Statistics Norway has not taken into account that some of the largest industrial adventures in Norway are now gaining momentum in precisely these two cities. Northern Norway is the region in Europe that is best equipped to offer the solutions that the green shift requires. Mo i Rana’s about 26,000 people are now most concerned about how they can get enough housing within the gigabytes for battery production is erected and population number 30,000 sees the light of day. Secondly, there are places in Nordland with good growth – which can inspire others. Bodø is a university town with a varied and growing business community. Lofoten has the youngest population in northern Norway. A result of tourism, among other things, which has inspired many young people to live a life in spectacular nature and close to the elements. This year, tourism on the Helgeland coast will probably be greater than in Lofoten. If the cards are played correctly, we can have the same effect there with young immigrants – in Europe’s largest archipelago and Roy Jacobsen’s literary realm. Nordland has many small municipalities that struggle to keep people. It is not difficult to see why Statistics Norway’s model as a whole gives a disappointing result. But we also have viable regional centers from Brønnøysund in the south to Sortland in the north. With wise, creative and locally based management, these will be able to continue to be dams against eviction. We also have small municipalities that think completely new together with people and business, and succeed, such as Bø in Vesterålen, Steigen in Salten, Herøy on Helgeland, and Andøya with the major investment in the space industry. A fourth factor is that Statistics Norway’s statisticians are absolutely right when they point out that the downturn can be turned into an upturn, depending on their own conscious choices locally and nationally. They point to these factors that can influence positive development: Construction of roads and other infrastructure, exciting private jobs and decentralized government jobs, a good supply of housing, and facilitation for immigrants with relevant skills. Fifth, Nordland is well underway with all this! But the Støre government may have lost its district glasses while running after all the crises. When the government postpones Northern Norway’s largest road investment on the E6 between Fauske and Narvik. When they scrap the initiative for place-independent government jobs. When they investigate whether an Arctic oil spill response center should be located in Horten by the Oslo Fjord instead of in Vesterålen. When “major cleaning in working life” mostly appears as a code word for preventing much-needed labor from outside. Nordland has the potential to crush Statistics Norway’s negative population projection. Then we must accelerate the construction of roads, airports and fishing ports – not stop, postpone, or create uncertainty about whether this will be implemented. Let local solutions and creativity be expressed through overall planning in the municipalities, and let the municipality experience that the county and the State Administrator are moving in the same direction. We must play on teams with industry and local business, not oppose any change or encroachment on nature. It must pay to build and refurbish housing in the districts as well, and it must be easier for an employee from Latvia or South Korea to get started with work, start a family and take root in Nordland. We know what works and what creates development. Let us together put shame on gloomy forecasts and prove that a stronger population growth is possible in Nordland and many other places in District Norway!
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No dark time in the north – Expression
