Myten om det norske utenforskapet

Abstract

The notion of a particular Norwegian labor market outsiderness syndrome insists that we have too many social benefit recipients and too few at work. These claims are not well documented. In this commentary we show that we have fewer outside of employment or education than in most countries. Compared to other countries we have many on disability benefits, but not many benefit receivers in total. The perception of a particular Norwegian labor market outsiderness syndrome gives a misleading impression about the role of social benefits and tends to weaken the support for the welfare state and social insurances that contribute to reduced income inequality.