The nearly 30,000 "new Norwegians" represent growth of only about 0.6 percent, but was nonetheless significant. With the exception of the population growth in 1998 and 1999, it was the largest since 1972.
Much of it was attributed to increased immigration, which in turn reflected quicker application processing by immigration authorities. The net immigration count (the amount exceeding those that emigrated out of Norway) was 17,200, compared to just 8,000 in 2001.
Most of the new immigrants to Norway came from Asia and the Middle East, specifically Thailand, Iraq and Afghanistan. More Europeans also are moving to Norway, with immigration from EU countries tripling from 2,100 two years ago to more than 6,000 in 2002.
The amount of births that exceeded deaths was 10,700, according to the statistics bureau.
The nationwide birthrate, however, was down by 1,300 from the prior year. Births declined in all counties except in Oslo and Akershus.
