Norway is facing an alarming rise in poverty, with more citizens turning to the Salvation Army for Christmas aid, highlighting the deepening financial struggles of many. According to recent statistics, food prices have surged by 33% over the past three years, exacerbating the situation for many households.
The Salvation Army’s poverty index reveals that one in five Norwegians now struggles to make ends meet, with the organization distributing food boxes to 1,400 families this week. Among those seeking help is Tone Rose, a certified biomedical engineer who once donated to the Salvation Army but now relies on benefits due to illness. “I never thought I’d become someone who needed help in this way, so for me it’s been a long journey. Just walking through the door,” she shared.
Most people seeking aid are also receiving benefits from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, but the agency has stated that more assistance is needed. “Subsistence rates are unreasonably low, and we can see that. Our queues are getting longer, and more people need help. So the call to action is that welfare rates need to be increased,” said Elin Westby Herikstad, deputy director of Swedish Social Services. This year, the financial strain is particularly tough on families with children.
Earlier in the year, a report from the Norwegian National Institute for Consumer Research called for increased social assistance to address the growing crisis.
