Nettoflytting

Nettoflytting is a term used in demography to describe net migration for a defined geographic area and time period. It represents the difference between the number of residents who move into the area (innflytting) and those who move out (utflytting). The resulting figure can be positive, indicating more people moving in than out, or negative, indicating the opposite.

The measure is commonly calculated for municipalities, counties, or larger regions, and can be reported as absolute numbers or as a rate per 1,000 inhabitants. Data are typically obtained from population registers and administrative records. In Norway, statistics agencies publish nettoflytting figures with breakdowns by area, period, age, sex, and sometimes by migration type (internal versus international).

Nettoflytting is a component of population change, alongside natural increase (births minus deaths). It is used to analyze urbanization, housing demand, labor market dynamics, and regional development. Policymakers and planners rely on nettoflytting data to assess the attractiveness of places, to forecast service needs, and to allocate resources.

Limitations of nettoflytting data include reliance on registration practices and timing, potential lags in reporting, and changes in geographic borders or administrative boundaries. Comparability over time may be affected by such boundary changes, migration definitions, or revisions in datasets. Nevertheless, nettoflytting remains a key indicator of regional population dynamics and mobility patterns.

See also: innflytting, utflytting, population change, demographics.