Nurse report reveals housing challenges for nurses in Oslo, Norway

A new report highlights the challenges faced by nurses in Norway when it comes to home ownership. The 2024 Nurse Index reveals that a single nurse can only afford to purchase 2.4% of the homes available in Oslo. Nursing student Siril Berg fears she must abandon her dream of living there. Currently, nurses can afford 31.4% of available homes across Norway, showing a slight decline from the previous year’s 31.6%. However, improvements have been noted in cities like Tromsø and Bodø.

Siril, who currently rents a room outside Kristiansand, aspires to own her own home in the future, ideally in Oslo. Recent statistics demonstrate the limited housing options for single nurses, which could deter students from pursuing their education further in the capital. “I originally wanted to pursue a master’s degree in Oslo, but it’s not realistic considering the housing market,” she states.

The Nurse Index, which examines the proportion of homes that a single nurse can afford based on their typical income, shows significant disparities across Norwegian cities. In Bergen and Trondheim, a single nurse can buy 1 in 3 available homes, while in Oslo, it’s down to 1 in 50.

Berg believes she will have to remain in Kristiansand after graduating, where she has access to 47.6% of available housing as a qualified nurse. She expresses frustration over stagnant salaries, which make it challenging for nurses to enter the housing market, deeming it unfair given the high demand for their skillset.