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Figures for the press

Most and fewest completing upper secondary

The share of pupils who completed upper secondary education within five or six years.

Vindafjord has the highest completion share of Norway's municipalities at 94.2% (2025). The lowest is Vega at 60.5%. Source: FHI, indicator 623, processed by Morning Analytics 1 November 2026.

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94.2%Highest: Vindafjord
80.5%Median of the municipalities
60.5%Lowest: Vega

Analysis: why are some at the top and others at the bottom?

We compared completion share with every other municipal figure we have, from Statistics Norway, NIPH and the Brønnøysund Register Centre. Below are the figures that go most closely together with completion share across the country, and what marks the municipalities at the top and bottom on those figures.

The pattern across the country

  • Municipalities that rank high on «Share with lower secondary as highest education (16 and over)» most often rank low on completion share (strong association, rank correlation −0.52 across 269 municipalities; Statistics Norway table 09429).
  • Municipalities that rank high on «Life expectancy at birth (15-year period)» most often also rank high on completion share (moderate association, rank correlation 0.39 across 269 municipalities; NIPH indicator 508).
  • Municipalities that rank high on «Disability benefit recipients aged 20–66 (standardised)» most often rank low on completion share (moderate association, rank correlation −0.39 across 269 municipalities; NIPH indicator 787).
  • Municipalities that rank high on «Employed, share of age 20–66» most often also rank high on completion share (moderate association, rank correlation 0.38 across 269 municipalities; Statistics Norway table 11618).

The highest and the lowest

  • No. 1 Vindafjord (94.2%) Fits the pattern: «Employed, share of age 20–66» 81.0% (no. 27 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 11618); «Disability benefit recipients aged 20–66 (standardised)» 8.4% (no. 298 of 357 from the top; NIPH indicator 787); «Life expectancy at birth (15-year period)» 83.3 (no. 63 of 348 from the top; NIPH indicator 508). Most distinctive industry: jordbruk og tjenester tilknyttet jordbruk, jakt og viltstell, 10% of the jobs, 7.6 times the national share (Statistics Norway table 13470, 2025).
  • No. 2 Hole (94.2%) Fits the pattern: «Disability benefit recipients aged 20–66 (standardised)» 6.7% (no. 349 of 357 from the top; NIPH indicator 787); «Share with lower secondary as highest education (16 and over)» 19.6% (no. 337 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 09429). Most distinctive industry: overnattingsvirksomhet, 5% of the jobs, 4.8 times the national share (Statistics Norway table 13470, 2025).
  • No. 3 Suldal (92.3%) Fits the pattern: «Disability benefit recipients aged 20–66 (standardised)» 8.2% (no. 306 of 357 from the top; NIPH indicator 787); «Employed, share of age 20–66» 79.5% (no. 71 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 11618); «Share with lower secondary as highest education (16 and over)» 22.1% (no. 276 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 09429). Most distinctive industry: bryting og bergverksdrift ellers, 14% of the jobs, 117.6 times the national share (Statistics Norway table 13470, 2025).
  • No. 269 Vega (60.5%, among the lowest) Fits the pattern: «Employed, share of age 20–66» 71.6% (no. 318 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 11618); «Share with lower secondary as highest education (16 and over)» 30.7% (no. 45 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 09429); «Disability benefit recipients aged 20–66 (standardised)» 13.8% (no. 60 of 357 from the top; NIPH indicator 787). Most distinctive industry: fiske, fangst og akvakultur, 10% of the jobs, 12.2 times the national share (Statistics Norway table 13470, 2025).
  • No. 268 Flakstad (60.8%, among the lowest) Fits the pattern: «Share with lower secondary as highest education (16 and over)» 35.7% (no. 14 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 09429); «Employed, share of age 20–66» 70.9% (no. 328 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 11618). Most distinctive industry: fiske, fangst og akvakultur, 20% of the jobs, 25.1 times the national share (Statistics Norway table 13470, 2025).
  • No. 267 Gáivuotna - Kåfjord - Kaivuono (61.9%, among the lowest) Fits the pattern: «Life expectancy at birth (15-year period)» 80.1 (no. 339 of 348 from the top; NIPH indicator 508); «Share with lower secondary as highest education (16 and over)» 34.9% (no. 15 of 357 from the top; Statistics Norway table 09429); «Disability benefit recipients aged 20–66 (standardised)» 15.1% (no. 27 of 357 from the top; NIPH indicator 787). Most distinctive industry: jordbruk og tjenester tilknyttet jordbruk, jakt og viltstell, 8% of the jobs, 6.5 times the national share (Statistics Norway table 13470, 2025).

The analysis describes what goes together, not what causes what. Two figures can follow each other because both depend on something else, such as size, location or industry. The figures are from the latest year available for each source, so the years can differ. Rank correlation runs from −1 to 1; values near 1 mean the municipalities lie in roughly the same order on both measures.

What explains the placing?

  • 1. Vindafjord 94.2% 17% above the median of the municipalities.
  • 2. Hole 94.2% 17% above the median of the municipalities.
  • 3. Suldal 92.3% Small municipality (3,891 inhabitants): one company or a few people can move the figure a lot. 15% above the median of the municipalities.
  • 267. Gáivuotna - Kåfjord - Kaivuono 61.9% Small municipality (1,939 inhabitants): one company or a few people can move the figure a lot. 23% below the median of the municipalities.
  • 268. Flakstad 60.8% Small municipality (1,235 inhabitants): one company or a few people can move the figure a lot. 24% below the median of the municipalities.
  • 269. Vega 60.5% Small municipality (1,202 inhabitants): one company or a few people can move the figure a lot. 25% below the median of the municipalities.
#Municipality County Inhabitants completion share
1 Vindafjord Rogaland 9,181 94.2%
2 Hole Buskerud 7,205 94.2%
3 Suldalsmall municipality Rogaland 3,891 92.3%
4 Frogn Akershus 16,429 92.2%
5 Røros - Rosse Trøndelag - Trööndelage 5,638 91.4%
6 Giske Møre og Romsdal 8,828 90.8%
7 Bærum Akershus 133,228 89.6%
8 Luster Vestland 5,478 89.2%
9 Aukrasmall municipality Møre og Romsdal 3,780 89.1%
10 Heim Trøndelag - Trööndelage 6,075 89.0%
11 Sør-Fronsmall municipality Innlandet 3,108 88.8%
12 Vanylvensmall municipality Møre og Romsdal 3,029 88.8%
13 Randaberg Rogaland 11,841 88.7%
14 Surnadal Møre og Romsdal 5,982 88.4%
15 Hurdalsmall municipality Akershus 3,078 88.1%
16 Bjerkreimsmall municipality Rogaland 2,894 87.9%
17 Gausdal Innlandet 6,147 87.8%
18 Hustadvika Møre og Romsdal 13,538 87.6%
19 Midtre Gauldal Trøndelag - Trööndelage 6,088 87.5%
20 Ullensvang Vestland 10,929 87.4%
21 Årdal Vestland 5,178 87.4%
22 Tysvær Rogaland 11,750 87.1%
23 Seljordsmall municipality Telemark 2,959 87.0%
24 Bamble Telemark 14,267 86.5%
25 Lørenskog Akershus 51,511 86.5%
26 Haram Møre og Romsdal 9,460 86.4%
27 Enebakk Akershus 11,697 86.4%
28 Nordre Follo Akershus 65,381 86.4%
29 Kongsberg Buskerud 29,169 86.4%
30 Elverum Innlandet 21,937 86.3%
31 Nesodden Akershus 21,005 86.3%
32 Stryn Vestland 7,319 86.2%
33 Vågåsmall municipality Innlandet 3,553 86.1%
34 Sola Rogaland 29,541 86.1%
35 Sogndal Vestland 12,552 86.0%
36 Hjelmelandsmall municipality Rogaland 2,612 86.0%
37 Hareid Møre og Romsdal 5,411 85.8%
38 Saudasmall municipality Rogaland 4,603 85.8%
39 Lillesand Agder 11,822 85.8%
40 Asker Akershus 101,509 85.5%
41 Lier Buskerud 28,797 85.4%
42 Salangensmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 2,132 85.4%
43 Kvinesdal Agder 6,242 85.3%
44 Ålesund Møre og Romsdal 59,663 85.2%
45 Fjordsmall municipality Møre og Romsdal 2,547 85.1%
46 Nittedal Akershus 26,032 85.0%
47 Midt-Telemark Telemark 11,157 85.0%
48 Oslo - Oslove Oslo - Oslove 728,714 84.9%
49 Sunnfjord Vestland 22,804 84.8%
50 Lillestrøm Akershus 96,771 84.8%
51 Selbusmall municipality Trøndelag - Trööndelage 4,258 84.7%
52 Lyngdal Agder 10,922 84.7%
53 Ulstein Møre og Romsdal 8,958 84.7%
54 Tingvollsmall municipality Møre og Romsdal 3,066 84.6%
55 Ørsta Møre og Romsdal 11,068 84.6%
56 Nordreisa - Ráisa - Raisismall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 4,863 84.5%
57 Nord-Aurdal Innlandet 6,424 84.5%
58 Time Rogaland 20,461 84.3%
59 Strandasmall municipality Møre og Romsdal 4,333 84.1%
60 Nore og Uvdalsmall municipality Buskerud 2,459 84.1%
61 Volda Møre og Romsdal 11,009 83.9%
62 Melhus Trøndelag - Trööndelage 17,828 83.8%
63 Stavanger Rogaland 151,669 83.8%
64 Moss Østfold 53,207 83.8%
65 Bremangersmall municipality Vestland 3,381 83.6%
66 Stord Vestland 19,276 83.5%
67 Austevoll Vestland 5,515 83.5%
68 Øystre Slidresmall municipality Innlandet 3,347 83.5%
69 Holsmall municipality Buskerud 4,552 83.5%
70 Sveio Vestland 5,766 83.5%
71 Sunndal Møre og Romsdal 7,094 83.4%
72 Eigersund Rogaland 15,546 83.3%
73 Eidskog Innlandet 6,103 83.2%
74 Molde Møre og Romsdal 33,291 83.2%
75 Vennesla Agder 15,772 83.2%
76 Verdal Trøndelag - Trööndelage 15,435 83.1%
77 Stange Innlandet 21,839 83.0%
78 Kongsvinger Innlandet 18,191 83.0%
79 Gjesdal Rogaland 12,715 83.0%
80 Kvam Vestland 8,490 83.0%
81 Tysnessmall municipality Vestland 3,053 83.0%
82 Stad Vestland 9,616 83.0%
83 Vestre Toten Innlandet 13,612 82.9%
84 Herøy (Møre og Romsdal) Møre og Romsdal 9,003 82.9%
85 Askøy Vestland 30,600 82.8%
86 Høyangersmall municipality Vestland 3,883 82.8%
87 Harstad - Hárstták Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 25,204 82.8%
88 Sandnes Rogaland 85,785 82.7%
89 Rælingen Akershus 20,904 82.7%
90 Hamar Innlandet 33,817 82.6%
91 Bodø Nordland - Nordlánnda 53,638 82.6%
92 Trondheim - Tråante Trøndelag - Trööndelage 218,460 82.6%
93 Alstahaug Nordland - Nordlánnda 7,489 82.6%
94 Nordkappsmall municipality Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 2,945 82.5%
95 Færder Vestfold 27,743 82.5%
96 Bergen Vestland 294,860 82.5%
97 Fredrikstad Østfold 86,243 82.5%
98 Tønsberg Vestfold 60,246 82.4%
99 Rauma Møre og Romsdal 7,195 82.4%
100 Råde Østfold 7,892 82.4%
101 Tvedestrand Agder 6,430 82.4%
102 Hå Rogaland 20,087 82.4%
103 Vinjesmall municipality Telemark 3,829 82.4%
104 Bømlo Vestland 12,531 82.3%
105 Gjøvik Innlandet 31,350 82.3%
106 Holmestrand Vestfold 27,086 82.3%
107 Lindesnes Agder 23,702 82.2%
108 Gloppen Vestland 5,976 82.1%
109 Bardusmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 4,004 82.0%
110 Kristiansand Agder 119,287 82.0%
111 Klepp Rogaland 21,444 82.0%
112 Indre Fosen Trøndelag - Trööndelage 10,006 81.9%
113 Sør-Odal Innlandet 8,165 81.8%
114 Haugesund Rogaland 38,663 81.4%
115 Tromsø Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 79,943 81.4%
116 Kristiansund Møre og Romsdal 24,479 81.4%
117 Kvinnherad Vestland 13,236 81.4%
118 Nome Telemark 6,529 81.3%
119 Bjørnafjorden Vestland 26,753 81.2%
120 Lillehammer Innlandet 29,669 81.2%
121 Sykkylven Møre og Romsdal 7,626 81.2%
122 Notodden Telemark 13,389 81.1%
123 Gran Innlandet 13,689 81.0%
124 Grongsmall municipality Trøndelag - Trööndelage 2,292 80.9%
125 Larvik Vestfold 49,022 80.9%
126 Brønnøy Nordland - Nordlánnda 7,841 80.9%
127 Skaun Trøndelag - Trööndelage 8,574 80.9%
128 Karmøy Rogaland 43,990 80.8%
129 Alvdalsmall municipality Innlandet 2,492 80.8%
130 Ås Akershus 22,725 80.8%
131 Birkenes Agder 5,447 80.7%
132 Namsos - Nåavmesjenjaelmie Trøndelag - Trööndelage 15,112 80.7%
133 Risør Agder 6,683 80.6%
134 Oppdal Trøndelag - Trööndelage 7,421 80.6%
135 Levanger - Levangke Trøndelag - Trööndelage 20,807 80.5%
136 Åfjordsmall municipality Trøndelag - Trööndelage 4,340 80.5%
137 Golsmall municipality Buskerud 4,902 80.4%
138 Nord-Fron Innlandet 5,493 80.4%
139 Tinn Telemark 5,515 80.3%
140 Flekkefjord Agder 9,373 80.3%
141 Nærøysund Trøndelag - Trööndelage 9,920 80.3%
142 Porsgrunn Telemark 37,435 80.2%
143 Overhallasmall municipality Trøndelag - Trööndelage 3,944 80.2%
144 Halden Østfold 32,082 80.2%
145 Lunner Akershus 9,463 80.1%
146 Narvik Nordland - Nordlánnda 21,647 80.1%
147 Hadsel Nordland - Nordlánnda 8,374 80.0%
148 Hemnessmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 4,486 79.9%
149 Søndre Land Innlandet 5,603 79.8%
150 Steinkjer - Stïentje Trøndelag - Trööndelage 24,007 79.7%
151 Aurskog-Høland Akershus 18,458 79.7%
152 Gjerdrum Akershus 7,478 79.6%
153 Rana - Raane Nordland - Nordlánnda 25,844 79.6%
154 Sarpsborg Østfold 60,614 79.6%
155 Kinn Vestland 17,356 79.4%
156 Hvalersmall municipality Østfold 4,714 79.3%
157 Bøsmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 2,609 79.2%
158 Leirfjordsmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 2,392 79.2%
159 Ringsaker Innlandet 36,199 79.1%
160 Farsund Agder 9,949 79.0%
161 Siljansmall municipality Telemark 2,377 78.9%
162 Sør-Varanger Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 9,947 78.8%
163 Tynset Innlandet 5,762 78.8%
164 Gjerstadsmall municipality Agder 2,502 78.7%
165 Malvik Trøndelag - Trööndelage 14,961 78.7%
166 Strand Rogaland 13,959 78.6%
167 Sørreisasmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 3,528 78.6%
168 Sandesmall municipality Møre og Romsdal 2,437 78.5%
169 Sandefjord Vestfold 67,062 78.5%
170 Sel Innlandet 5,469 78.5%
171 Alver Vestland 30,285 78.5%
172 Froland Agder 6,299 78.4%
173 Stjørdal Trøndelag - Trööndelage 25,108 78.4%
174 Indre Østfold Østfold 47,943 78.3%
175 Ringerike Buskerud 31,942 78.2%
176 Arendal Agder 46,603 78.2%
177 Øygarden Vestland 40,641 77.9%
178 Trysil Innlandet 6,474 77.9%
179 Drammen Buskerud 106,013 77.8%
180 Meløy Nordland - Nordlánnda 6,074 77.8%
181 Rakkestad Østfold 8,583 77.7%
182 Horten Vestfold 28,173 77.7%
183 Grimstad Agder 25,569 77.5%
184 Vestby Akershus 20,167 77.5%
185 Ål Buskerud 5,106 77.5%
186 Øyer Innlandet 5,130 77.4%
187 Nes Akershus 24,948 77.4%
188 Lomsmall municipality Innlandet 2,239 77.3%
189 Hemsedalsmall municipality Buskerud 2,707 77.2%
190 Jevnaker Akershus 7,040 77.2%
191 Løten Innlandet 7,951 77.1%
192 Kárášjohka - Karasjoksmall municipality Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 2,524 77.1%
193 Hitra Trøndelag - Trööndelage 5,568 77.1%
194 Skjervøysmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 2,802 77.0%
195 Averøy Møre og Romsdal 6,007 76.9%
196 Nannestad Akershus 16,662 76.9%
197 Skiptvetsmall municipality Østfold 3,940 76.8%
198 Dovresmall municipality Innlandet 2,523 76.8%
199 Drangedalsmall municipality Telemark 4,056 76.6%
200 Kvæfjordsmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 2,901 76.4%
201 Saltdalsmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 4,865 76.3%
202 Sula Møre og Romsdal 9,798 76.3%
203 Eidsvoll Akershus 28,739 76.2%
204 Vefsn Nordland - Nordlánnda 13,481 76.2%
205 Storfjord - Omasvuotna - Omasvuonosmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 1,848 75.9%
206 Skien Telemark 56,906 75.9%
207 Kragerø Telemark 10,378 75.8%
208 Auresmall municipality Møre og Romsdal 3,371 75.8%
209 Målselv Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 6,819 75.7%
210 Senja Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 14,946 75.6%
211 Nord-Odalsmall municipality Innlandet 4,978 75.6%
212 Meråkersmall municipality Trøndelag - Trööndelage 2,460 75.5%
213 Orkland Trøndelag - Trööndelage 18,840 75.4%
214 Åsnes Innlandet 7,216 75.4%
215 Sigdalsmall municipality Buskerud 3,514 75.4%
216 Sør-Aurdalsmall municipality Innlandet 2,841 75.3%
217 Ullensaker Akershus 45,982 75.2%
218 Gruesmall municipality Innlandet 4,463 74.9%
219 Nordre Land Innlandet 6,510 74.8%
220 Vestvågøy Nordland - Nordlánnda 11,606 74.7%
221 Østre Toten Innlandet 14,925 74.7%
222 Vestre Slidresmall municipality Innlandet 2,190 74.6%
223 Alta Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 22,074 74.6%
224 Våler (Østfold) Østfold 6,229 74.6%
225 Inderøy Trøndelag - Trööndelage 7,066 74.1%
226 Åmotsmall municipality Innlandet 4,191 74.1%
227 Vaksdalsmall municipality Vestland 3,899 74.0%
228 Hammerfest - Hámmerfeasta Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 11,391 73.8%
229 Våler (Innlandet)small municipality Innlandet 3,614 73.8%
230 Balsfjord Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 5,625 73.8%
231 Nesbyensmall municipality Buskerud 3,234 73.6%
232 Frøya Trøndelag - Trööndelage 5,794 73.5%
233 Osterøy Vestland 8,231 73.5%
234 Vågan Nordland - Nordlánnda 9,905 72.8%
235 Andøysmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 4,525 72.8%
236 Lyngen - Ivgu - Yykeäsmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 2,732 72.6%
237 Øksnessmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 4,613 71.9%
238 Øvre Eiker Buskerud 20,965 71.6%
239 Dielddanuorri - Tjeldsundsmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 4,144 71.6%
240 Sortland - Suortá Nordland - Nordlánnda 10,748 71.5%
241 Rennebusmall municipality Trøndelag - Trööndelage 2,514 71.2%
242 Ørland Trøndelag - Trööndelage 10,706 71.0%
243 Voss Vestland 16,438 71.0%
244 Modum Buskerud 14,776 70.9%
245 Sømnasmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 2,006 70.9%
246 Steigensmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 2,679 70.8%
247 Porsanger - Porsángu - Porsankismall municipality Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 3,906 70.6%
248 Sokndalsmall municipality Rogaland 3,356 70.4%
249 Fauske - Fuossko Nordland - Nordlánnda 9,707 70.0%
250 Flesbergsmall municipality Buskerud 2,790 69.4%
251 Fitjarsmall municipality Vestland 3,237 69.2%
252 Evje og Hornnessmall municipality Agder 3,842 68.8%
253 Lødingensmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 1,964 68.7%
254 Nesnasmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 1,796 68.2%
255 Frostasmall municipality Trøndelag - Trööndelage 2,667 67.3%
256 Austrheimsmall municipality Vestland 2,947 66.3%
257 Vadsø Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 5,808 65.8%
258 Vestnes Møre og Romsdal 7,315 65.5%
259 Vardøsmall municipality Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 1,969 65.1%
260 Gildeskålsmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 2,024 64.9%
261 Deatnu - Tanasmall municipality Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 2,806 64.8%
262 Ringebusmall municipality Innlandet 4,497 64.4%
263 Ibestadsmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 1,287 63.8%
264 Hábmer - Hamarøysmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 2,808 63.7%
265 Åmlismall municipality Agder 1,805 63.5%
266 Guovdageaidnu - Kautokeinosmall municipality Finnmark - Finnmárku - Finmarkku 2,886 63.5%
267 Gáivuotna - Kåfjord - Kaivuonosmall municipality Troms - Romsa - Tromssa 1,939 61.9%
268 Flakstadsmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 1,235 60.8%
269 Vegasmall municipality Nordland - Nordlánnda 1,202 60.5%

Not available for 88 municipalities (hidden by the source, too small or not measured): Aarborte - Hattfjelldal, Aremark, Askvoll, Aurland, Beiarn, Berlevåg, Bindal, Bokn, Bygland, Bykle, Båtsfjord, Dyrøy …