Norway – Research and development services and related consultancy services – R&D assignment on international comparison of sick leave

The contracting authority needs a solid and research-based knowledge basis that can highlight the level, development and reasons for differences in sick leave between Norway and comparable countries. The procurement shall therefore contribute with a general analysis of sick leave in Norway compared to at least Sweden and Denmark, based primarily on harmonised registry data. The knowledge shall support the parties ́works under the IA-agreement 2025-2028 and it shall provide an objective basis for assessing possible adjustments to measures or new measures. The procurement includes a research and review project that shall analyse sick leave across countries using register data, supplemented with labour surveys when relevant. The assignment shall highlight the overall level and development of sick leave and for different groups, duration and progress in sick leave, as well as the importance of institutional schemes and differences in the composition of the work force. The delivery shall provide a methodically robust picture of factors that can explain differences in registered sick leave. The assignment consists of three main deliveries that shall be carried out and delivered separately: 1. Lot 1: Analysis of level and development in sick leave in total. 2. Lot 2: Analysis of sick leave divided between groups as well as progress and length analyses. 3. Lot 3: Analysis of institutional conditions and composition effects. The assignment will be valid from signing the contract until the final report was submitted 1 October 2026 and it has an upper financial limit of NOK 4,000,000,000 excluding VAT. See annex 1 of the contract for further details.