Anniina Sveiby shops at the discount store “Holdbart”, never buys ready-made food and makes everything from scratch. – Fruit and vegetables have become far too expensive in Norway, so there is little of it right now, says Sveiby. She is a kindergarten teacher. On a daily basis, she works in a kindergarten, and is paid NOK 27,000 a month. With two children at home, she feels there is not enough money to live on. – To save money, I have fasted for periods when I don’t have the children at home, she says. Other days it will be a cheap meal such as eggs and bacon. – I don’t buy things for the fridge when I’m alone at home. Anniina Sveiby works in a kindergarten. She believes she has a good salary and seniority. Still, she can’t always afford food. Photo: Marit Sirum-Eikre / news The situation has become more difficult 900,000 Norwegians do not have the opportunity to manage an unforeseen expense of NOK 19,000, according to the living conditions survey for 2021, presented by Statistics Norway (SSB). The survey surveys how people feel, and is carried out every year. – We see that it is generally the groups with low incomes and those who are out of work who struggle to pay their bills. In addition to immigrants, especially those from outside Europe, says senior adviser Mathias Revold at Statistics Norway. 1 in 4 cannot afford to go on holiday The figures that came out on Tuesday show Norwegians’ living conditions in the period before the electricity crisis and the high price increase in recent months. – For the groups that were already having a hard time before the prices went up, the situation has become even more difficult. Senior advisor Mathias Revold. Photo: Marit Sirum-Eikre / news A large group who are having a hard time now are single parents like Anninna Sveiby. – About half will not be able to manage an unforeseen expense, and about 1 in 4 say they cannot afford to go on holiday every year. That includes short trips in Norway, he says. – How serious is it? – For many, it is probably experienced as very serious. They have to choose every day between paying an electricity bill, replacing worn-out clothes or taking the money to take the children on holiday, he says. – It will be interesting to see how the development will be in 2022. Understanding of the demanding situation Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) has a great understanding of the demanding situation that many people find themselves in. – I and the government want to take that with us when we go into and work on next year’s budget, she says. Furthermore, Toppe emphasizes that cheaper daycare and free core time in SFO have already been introduced. She emphasizes that general support schemes such as electricity support and housing support will become important. – These are important measures for nuclear families, especially for single parents who we know are at the greatest risk of experiencing poverty, she adds. Minister for Children and Families, Kjersti Toppe, understands. Photo: Benjamin Dyrdal / news Much easier before Sveiby herself believes that she has a good salary and seniority, and says that is not the problem. – The problem is that I now work 80 per cent, and am alone with two children. In addition, food and electricity prices are skyrocketing, she says. Sveiby had a partner before. – It was much easier when there were two of us. There were two of us who shared the rent, two who shared the electricity and two who shared the food. In addition, we had two incomes. Anniina Sveiby does not feel the money is enough, and runs several thousand kroner into deficit every month. Photo: Marit Sirum-Eikre / news Even in her free time, she thinks it can be demanding financially. When Sveiby has the children, she tries to take advantage of activities that are, so to speak, free. – We go on mushroom trips and swim in the open air. My kids are aware that we can’t just go to Leo’s playland. Anniina Sveiby finds it difficult to get advice on food. Sometimes she fasts to save money. Photo: Marit Sirum-Eikre / news
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