The committee also describes a change in the workforce . Apart from it become increasingly more scarce, the workforce as a group is also characterised by an increasing degree of individuality and a higher level of education 30 percent of the workforce in Norway had a college or university degree in 1998, which is almost twice the number in 1980. Scarcity in the workforce is becoming an increasing problem in Norway especially in the ever growing service-sector. With the population growing older every year, we can only expect this problem to increase in the years to come. This brings me to my next topic the early departure from working life - because, naturally, in a situation with an increasing scarceness in the workforce, it will be only more important to keep people in their jobs until ordinary retirement.
Statistics show that the numbers for both have steadily increased the last few years.
From 1993 to 1999 the number of days that the social security fund covers sick-leave compensation has increased with almost 40 percent. The number of persons receiving disablement benefit has increased with 10 percent from 1994 to 1999. Another Government-appointed committee also consisting of representatives from the authorities and the social partners, among others presented its report only last month. This committee concerned itself with this particular topic how to meet the increase in early departure from working life. The committee points out several possible reasons for the increase in numbers of sick-leave days or persons receiving disablement benefit, that may together render a sort of explanation.