The government of Norway will limit the number of people living on the Spitsbergen (Svalbard) archipelago’s Norvegian territory. The population is not to exceed 2,600.

In an interview with the Klassekampen newspaper, State Secretary John-Erik Vika (Center Party) noted that the population of Longyearbyen should not increase.

In May 2024, Norway will publish a report on Spitsbergen (Svalbard). The country’s authorities will set forth their strategy for the Arctic archipelago, and some provisions have already been made public. Norway believes the archipelago’s population is excessive and should not increase anymore. They would also like the share of Norwegian citizens among this population to increase.