Inheriting a farm in Norway

In Norway, till 1974, it was the oldest son, born in marriage, who could inherit a family farm.

That year, it was decided that for children born after January 1st 1965, it would be the first child born in marriage, regardless of the sex of that child.

In the daily newspaper Aftenposten we learn that there are 180 000 farms of different sizes in Norway, and that today one fourth of these are owned by women.

During the years 2005 - 2006 38 % of new farm owners were women.

In general, women own the smaller farms, often with sheep and goats. Few women own the biggest farms with milk and beef production.