Most Popular Software Technologies in Norway in the first 6 months of 2023
Norway is most known for breathtaking fjords, large oil and gas riches and delicious salmon, but it also have at thriving and well paid tech industry. Norwegians have a high english fluency and many companies use English as their official language. This makes Norway one of the best countries to immigrate to, as you don't have to speak the local language to find a well paying job. In this blog post, we will list the most popular and in demand software technologies in Norway.
When creating this blog post we analyzed data from the largest job boards in Norway, analyzing hundreds of job postings that have been published in the first 6 months of 2023. So if you are looking to move to Norway, or are already in Norway and looking for a new job, then these are the technologies you should learn if you want to get a software developer job in Norway!
1. Python
While Java is the most popular language in Norway, Python have become the most in demand skill at the moment. Its simplicity, versatility, and vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks make it a top choice when you need to go fast. The Norwegian tech community values Python's agility for rapid prototyping and its supportive developer community. Additionally, Python's ease of learning has attracted both beginners and seasoned developers, contributing to its unrivaled popularity.
Python is especially popular among small and mid sized companies, and even more so so for startups. Python is also gaining traction in traditional businesses, such as banks and telecom companies who want to join in on the AI/big-data train. These are just some of the many factors that makes Python the most in demand technology in Norway in the first half of 2023.
2. Azure
Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, stands tall as the most popular cloud provider in Norway. With a comprehensive suite of services ranging from infrastructure management to artificial intelligence, Azure empowers businesses to build, deploy, and scale applications with ease. Norway's increasing digital transformation has led to a surge in Azure adoption, driven by its robust security measures, and seamless integration with Microsoft technologies. Azure's popularity further solidifies Microsoft's significant presence within the Norwegian tech landscape.
Often surprising to people outside of Scandinavia, Azure is the dominant cloud provider in Norway. This is largely because the Norwegian tech sector is dominated by the government sector and traditional big non-tech businesses, such as banks and the oil and gas industry. These sectors have a long tradition of dealing with and trusting Microsoft, making them overwhelmingly choose Azure over other competitors such as AWS or GCP. In fact, Azure is mentioned twice as often as AWS and GCP combined! But don't worry if you are a AWS or GCP expert, companies often mention that experience with any of the major cloud providers is sufficient.
3. C#/.NET
C# and .NET framework have secured their place as prominent technologies in Norway. C# serves as a versatile programming language, while .NET framework provides a rich ecosystem for building scalable, enterprise-level applications. With Norway's emphasis on sectors like finance, telecommunications, and healthcare, C# and .NET have become go-to choices for developing mission-critical systems. The integration of C# with Microsoft's tools and frameworks strengthens its appeal, creating a thriving community of C#/.NET developers in Norway.
C#/.NET is often used in combination with Azure, and it is popular both in the private and government sector.
4. Java
Java continues to hold its ground as a reliable technology in Norway. Renowned for its scalability, Java serves as the backbone for enterprise-level applications, Android app development, and large-scale systems. Its extensive libraries and frameworks enable developers to create robust solutions for diverse industries. Java's stability and cross-platform compatibility make it an enduring choice within Norway's programming landscape, despite facing competition from newer languages.
While C#/.NET might be more in demand for new jobs, Java is the most popular language in Norway. In any case, most companies look for anyone with a good grasp of any popular Object Oriented language.
5. React
React is the dominant frontend framework in Norway's web development landscape. Companies often want you to know TypeScript as well. Node is rarely mentioned, and companies who might have gone with Node in other locations across the globe, but in Norway these companies seem to choose Python instead. Angular is also used, but React is at least twice as popular as Angular.
If you are planning to move to Norway and enjoy JavaScript, expect to find mostly frontend positions for React plus Typescript.
While using the newest and shiniest frontend framework might give you some street credit, it is unlikely to help you much when looking for a new job. But I can say that from personal experience, interviewers do value it when a person is actively learning new things, and showing that you know some of the "new" and less popular technologies shows that you are a person with an actual interest in technology, which might give you an edge over others.
Conclusion:
In Norway's tech realm, Python reigns supreme as the most in demand language in the first months of 2023, followed closely by Azure, C#/.NET, Java, and React. Python's versatility and simplicity have propelled it to the top, while Azure's comprehensive cloud services cater to Norway's digital transformation. C#/.NET's ease of integrating with Azure makes it a popular choice for new and older systems, and Java's stability continues to serve critical systems. Meanwhile, React dominate the web development over Angular, and less popular frameworks like Vue or Svelte are almost non-existent in Norway.
Understanding the popularity and significance of these technologies in the Norwegian tech market, should hopefully give you a good idea of what you should focus on if you want to find a software job in Norway.