Norway’s government said on 7 October that its 2027 budget proposal includes its first “competence budget.” The Ministry of Education and Research identifies health disciplines, science and technology as priority areas where future workforce needs are expected to be greatest, framing the chapter as a long-term planning tool for universities, colleges and vocational institutions.

The proposal includes 150 new higher-education places in biomedical laboratory science, social care, nursing, midwifery, marine engineering and quantum technology, plus NOK 120 million for alternative entry routes and quality in three-year engineering programmes. The ministry says the framework draws on education supply and demand, labour-market analyses and completion data. Places and funding are budget proposals, not completed enrolments.