Death Rates

The figures show the development in mortality, and the causes of premature death, in the three northern Norwegian counties and on a national basis for the period 2002-2020, where it is also possible to look more closely at the development for men and women.
The figures also provide an overview of mortality in the individual municipalities in northern Norway, and where the Sami municipalities are also presented in a separate figure.

Although the population has grown older, mortality has declined gradually for both men and women over many years. This applies to all three northernmost counties and on a national basis. At the same time, mortality is on average higher in Nordland and Troms and Finnmark than the national average. The highest mortality is, where it is highest in our northernmost latter county. Mortality is also far higher for men than for women, although the difference has been reduced in recent years.

The most important single causes of premature death are cancer and cardiovascular disease, but also for these diseases, mortality has decreased in recent years.

Public health is generally good in this country, at the same time there are significant socio-economic differences in life expectancy. This applies to most diseases, and reflects different living conditions and living habits. In general, people with low education have a greater chance of illness, injury and ailment than people with high education.
Poor health affects the individual's quality of life, and can result in many lost life years. For society as a whole, this is reflected in the population's total health potential not being fully utilized, and in many cases also in increased costs related to health services and social security benefits (link to text on disability benefits).

In sum, the decline in mortality has an impact on the individual's health and quality of life (sustainability goal 4) and on society's economic sustainability (sustainability goal 8).