Photo credit: Kjell Inge Soreide

Kristiansand is a coastal city in Southern Norway, offering a distinctive combination of urban life, coastline, islands, forests and rural landscapes – all within one municipality. It is Norway's fifth largest city by population and had 119 648 inhabitants as of 1 January 2026.

Founded in 1641 by King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway, Kristiansand was established as a planned city with a grid layout known as Kvadraturen, which remains the historic city centre today. Its strategic location on the southern coast made Kristiansand important for trade, shipping and military defence. During World War II, the city was attacked and occupied on 9 April 1940, and later became a centre for Norwegian resistance activity.

Kristiansand remains an important port city, with regular ferry connections to Denmark and a growing presence of international companies within shipping, renewable energy and technology. The region is also home to world-leading process and offshore industries.

Today, Kristiansand is known for attractions and experiences such as the award-winning Kunstsilo art museum, Dyreparken – Norway’s number one zoo and amusement park – its seafood, Hennig-Olsen ice cream, and Palmesus, Scandinavia’s largest beach festival.

City status
population diversity

Kristiansand is one of Norway’s most diverse and international cities. At the beginning of 2026, the municipality had 19 674 residents with an immigrant background, representing 16.5% of the total population. In addition, 4.3% of the population are second-generation migrants, reflecting a steadily growing multicultural community.

The city’s diversity is shaped by people from a wide range of countries and regions. Large immigrant groups originate from Poland, Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine, Eritrea, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan and Syria, among many others. This broad mix of backgrounds contributes to Kristiansand’s cultural richness and international outlook.

Migration to Kristiansand has occurred for different reasons, including employment, education, family reunification, and humanitarian protection. Refugees and their family members account for approximately half of the immigrant population, highlighting the city’s important role in welcoming and integrating newcomers.

Diversity is visible throughout everyday life in Kristiansand, including schools, workplaces, cultural events, and community organizations. The municipality actively works to promote inclusion, equal opportunities, and participation for all residents. Through intercultural dialogue and cooperation, Kristiansand seeks to strengthen social cohesion while benefiting from the skills, experiences, and perspectives that a diverse population brings.

As a result, Kristiansand continues to develop as an open and inclusive city where people from many different backgrounds can live, work, and contribute to the community.

Intercultural Cities Index