Nearly Half of Norwegians Reject EU Membership as Youth Skepticism Grows

A new Opinion poll reveals that 49 percent of Norwegians oppose joining the European Union, with unexpected skepticism concentrated among the country’s younger generations.

Poll Findings on EU Membership

Almost half of Norwegians still do not want their country to join the European Union, according to an Opinion poll published on Monday, August 10, for the magazines ABC Nyheter and Altinget. The survey was conducted in the last week of July and involved a representative group of 1,001 respondents.

Forty-nine percent of respondents would vote against joining the EU, while 37 percent would vote in favor. The remaining 14 percent were unable to provide an answer.

In a previous survey conducted in February, 48 percent of respondents opposed EU membership, 38 percent were in favor, and 14 percent had no opinion on the matter.

Regional Support and Opposition

The highest number of supporters is in Oslo. The largest opposition was recorded in western Norway, where 54 percent of respondents opposed membership, while the most supporters of integration are in Oslo, with 53 percent of capital residents backing entry into the EU.

Skepticism Among Youth and Political Groups

The only demographic group where supporters of integration with the Union dominate is people over 60 years of age. In this group, 48 percent support joining the EU compared to 42 percent of opponents.

There are more opponents than supporters of joining the Union among young Norwegians. According to Prof. Johannes Bergh from the Institute for Social Research in Oslo, who commented on the poll results, membership supporters likely expected young people to be more favorable to the EU.

They hoped that with the emergence of a new generation, a majority for membership would take shape. However, this poll indicates that the young generation is quite critical, he said.

The most skeptical are voters from rural areas and small towns belonging to the Centre Party. Ninety-one percent of its sympathizers opposed membership. A majority of integration opponents was also recorded among voters of the largest opposition force, the far-right Progress Party.

Historical Context and Upcoming Referendum

The highest support for membership in recent years was recorded by Opinion in March 2025. At that time, 41 percent of respondents were in favor of Norway entering the EU, and 48 percent were against.

Norwegians have twice rejected membership in the European Communities. In 1972, 53.5 percent of voters were against accession, and in 1994, entry was rejected by 52.2 percent.

Meanwhile, on August 29, Icelandic citizens will decide in a referendum whether to resume accession negotiations with the Union.

From Oslo, Mieszko Czarnecki (PAP)