Norway's housing market faces a stark contradiction, with over 200,000 homes standing empty nationwide despite a government goal to build 130,000 new ones by 2030. A fresh analysis from Samfunnsøkonomisk analyse (SØA), commissioned by the Husbanken and reviewed by E24, reveals the scale of unused housing stock. This new figure of 202,013 empty dwellings is 90,000 higher than the previous estimate for 2024, a result of a more precise calculation method developed in collaboration with Norkart using data from property and population registers.
A Ministerial Response
Communal and District Minister Bjørnar Skjæran (Ap) acknowledged the seriousness of the findings. "I do not believe that 200,000 new homes will come onto the market. But there are far too many empty homes for us not to take this seriously, and look at the opportunities," Skjæran said. While emphasizing the need to examine possibilities, he stated the government would currently steer clear of several specific proposals mentioned in the report. His cautious approach highlights the political complexity of intervening in private property ownership, even amid a national housing shortage.
Where Are the Empty Homes?
The geographical distribution of these vacant properties is crucial. The analysis shows that nearly half of all empty homes, about 91,556, are located in central areas. This includes Norway's largest cities and the regions surrounding them. Within the most central zones in and around Oslo, analysts found the fewest empty homes—only 15,202. However, this region also contains 18 percent of all homes in the country, indicating a relatively tight market in the capital area.
In contrast, the central areas of other major cities and their regions account for 76,354 empty units. The concentration suggests that vacancy is not solely a remote, rural issue but a significant factor in urban housing economies. The reasons for emptiness vary dramatically by location, painting a picture of a fragmented national market.
Why Are These Homes Vacant?
The SØA report identifies multiple causes for the high vacancy rate, differing between districts and larger cities. In district municipalities, homes may have been abandoned or inherited without being sold onward. Some properties likely no longer meet an adequate living standard, making them unattractive for sale or rent without significant investment.
In larger urban areas, the drivers are different. Empty homes can result from owners waiting for favorable market conditions to sell, properties undergoing renovation, or apartments used as secondary residences for commuters. This urban vacancy often represents a deliberate choice by owners to withhold assets from the active rental or sales market, contributing to supply constraints and higher prices.
What's Not Counted in the Tally
Significantly, the official figure of 202,013 excludes several categories of housing. Close to 10,000 homes located on islands without mainland connections or ferry service, or in places without road access, are not included, as they are deemed effectively uninhabitable. The count also excludes properties where no one is officially registered but where students are likely living, and the 23,737 recreational homes located in densely populated areas. These exclusions aim to focus the statistic on primary residences that are genuinely available for the housing market but are not being used.
The Policy Challenge Ahead
The report lands as the government pushes its ambitious target of constructing 130,000 new homes this decade to alleviate pressure and improve affordability. The existence of a vast existing stock that is not in use presents a parallel, and potentially faster, avenue to increase housing availability. Potential policy tools could include incentives or taxes to encourage owners to sell or rent out vacant properties, particularly in high-demand areas. However, such measures are politically sensitive, touching on property rights and tax policy.
The analysis provides a powerful evidence base for this debate. It moves the discussion beyond anecdotes to hard data, showing precisely where empty homes are clustered and suggesting why they are vacant. For policymakers, the challenge is to design interventions that can unlock this dormant supply without creating undue administrative burden or market distortion. The minister's statement indicates an openness to explore options, but not a rush to implement radical solutions.
Looking to the Future
This new data fundamentally changes the understanding of Norway's housing supply. It is no longer just a question of building more, but also of using what already exists more efficiently. The 200,000 empty homes represent a huge untapped resource. Unlocking even a fraction of them could significantly ease the housing shortage, especially in central areas where construction is costly, slow, and often contentious.
The coming political discussion will likely focus on the balance between private ownership rights and the public need for adequate housing. Can the government find effective, fair ways to bring these homes back into use? The answer will shape Norway's housing market for years to come. With a precise map of the problem now in hand, the pressure is on to chart a course toward a solution.