The Common Nordic Labour Market At 50

In 1954 the Nordic countries entered a formal agreement on free labour mobility. Migration profiles have changed very much over the years since then. The Nordic agreement on free mobility is however still a clear advantage, both for the affected individuals and for the participating countries. The report contains a survey of earlier studies of the impact from the Nordic labour market agreement, followed by a broad description of the actual mobility over the 50 years since 1954. Next, the report surveys the actual factors behind the intra-Nordic mobility with special emphasis on cyclical differences between the countries. This is followed by in-depth analyses of characteristics of intra-Nordic migrants compared with people migrating out of the Nordic area. The report contains a survey of earlier studies of the impact from the Nordic labour market agreement, followed by a broad description of the actual mobility over the 50 years since 1954. Next, the report surveys the actual factors behind the intra-Nordic mobility with special emphasis on cyclical differences between the countries. This is followed by in-depth analyses of characteristics of intra-Nordic migrants compared with people migrating out of the Nordic area.

In 1954 the Nordic countries entered a formal agreement on free labour mobility. Migration profiles have changed very much over the years since then. The Nordic agreement on free mobility is however still a clear advantage, both for the affected individuals and for the participating countries. The report contains a survey of earlier studies of the impact from the Nordic labour market agreement, followed by a broad description of the actual mobility over the 50 years since 1954. Next, the report surveys the actual factors behind the intra-Nordic mobility with special emphasis on cyclical differences between the countries. This is followed by in-depth analyses of characteristics of intra-Nordic migrants compared with people migrating out of the Nordic area. The report contains a survey of earlier studies of the impact from the Nordic labour market agreement, followed by a broad description of the actual mobility over the 50 years since 1954. Next, the report surveys the actual factors behind the intra-Nordic mobility with special emphasis on cyclical differences between the countries. This is followed by in-depth analyses of characteristics of intra-Nordic migrants compared with people migrating out of the Nordic area.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2022-709/ The co-operation programme fleshes out the Nordic Council of Ministers’ action plan for Vision 2030 and its 12 goals and describes what Nordic co-operation on working life will seek to achieve by 2024. The Nordic Council of Ministers is committed to labour markets that match the requirements of the green transition and progress toward digitalisation and that support freedom of movement in the Nordic Region. The Nordic models for working life are based to a large extent on gender equality, social security and dialogue between the social partners. However, the Nordic labour markets also face significant changes as a result of, for example, new technology and the digitalisation of workplaces, demographic trends and new forms of employment. The co-operation programme identifies the challenges faced and looks at how best Nordic co-operation can help address them.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-503/ Most Nordic labour market and welfare state models are shaped around the notion of the standard full-time open-ended contract. However, the recent development in non-standard work (NSW) may challenge these institutions. In this TemaNord report, we analyse the recent development of NSW within the context of the Nordic models. We draw on Nordic Labour Force Survey data to map the recent development in the well-known forms of NSW, and through in-depth case studies, we explore emerging NSW practices and policy responses. There has been a fairly stable development in NSW across the Nordics, but the sector specific statistics and case studies display significant changes beneath this still surface. We find examples of novel policy responses to these developments, but the corona crisis also revealed gaps in the Nordic social- and employment protection regarding emerging forms of NSW.

The large influx of migrants to Nordic countries in recent years is challenging the adoptability of Nordic labor market institutions while also adding to potential growth. This paper examines the trends, economic drivers, and labor market implications of migration to Nordic countries with a particular focus on economic migration as distinct from the recent large flows of asylum seekers. Our analysis finds that migration inflows to the Nordics are influenced by both cyclical and structural factors. Although migration helpfully dampens overheating pressures during periods of strong demand, and over the longer term will cushion the decline in labor supply from population aging, in the near-term unemployment can rise, especially among the young and lower-skilled. The analysis highlights the need to adapt Nordic labor market institutions in a manner that better facilitates the integration of migrants into employment. In particular, greater wage flexibility at the firm level and continued strong active labor market measures will help improve labor market outcomes among immigrants.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-520/ Major changes in technology, economic contexts, workforces and the institutions of work have ebbed and flowed since well before the first industrial revolution in the 18th century. However, many argue that the changes we are currently facing are different, and that the rise of digitalized production will entirely transform our ways and views of working. In this collaborative project, funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, researchers from the five Nordic countries have studied how the ongoing transformations of production and labour markets associated with digitalization, demographic change and new forms of employment will influence the future of work in the Nordic countries.