State share of Svalbard jobs rises as deficit grows

Central government, including social security funds, accounted for 18.3% of all jobs on Svalbard in 2025, up from 17.3% in 2024, Statistics Norway said on Thursday 12 November. The share held by municipalities fell from 13.9% to 13.3%, and the private sector's share edged up from 46.1% to 46.3%.

Companies owned by central government made up 19.6% of jobs, down from 21.1%. Companies owned by local government rose to 2.5% from 1.6%. Across Norway, central government held 11.4% of jobs and the private sector 65.4%.

The state's accounts for administering Svalbard show revenue of NOK 274 million in 2025, of which taxes were NOK 268 million. Expenditure was NOK 1,062 million, leaving a deficit of NOK 788 million. In 2024 the deficit was NOK 559 million.

Transfers to the local council (Longyearbyen lokalstyre) were NOK 658 million.

Central government spending outside the Svalbard budget was NOK 1,218 million in 2025 against revenue of NOK 153 million, a deficit of NOK 1,065 million. The University of Svalbard received NOK 184 million of that, and the Norwegian Polar Institute NOK 103 million.

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