Regional overview: intoxicated adults with children on Norway’s national day

Ragnhild Kaski

15.05.2025 - Alcohol use and serving hours on May 17 have sparked public debate. A new survey shows that many people have witnessed intoxicated adults accompanied by children on the national day.

Four in ten Norwegians have seen intoxicated adults with children on May 17 in the past two years, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the alcohol awareness organization Av-og-til. However, the figures vary widely between counties.

“May 17 is a day for children – one they look forward to for a long time. They should be able to enjoy it with ice cream and hot dogs, without intoxicated adults around them,” says Ragnhild Kaski, Secretary General of Av-og-til.

She emphasizes that adults have many other occasions where alcohol is appropriate, and calls it a paradox that the national day has, for many, become an accepted occasion for drinking from morning until night.

“Our message is to be considerate and remember that our alcohol use can affect children and those around us. That way, we can ensure a good day for both young and old,” Kaski says.

About the survey

Ipsos conducted a nationally representative online survey on behalf of Av-og-til, with 2,753 respondents during the period January–March 2025.

Question: Have you seen intoxicated adults with children on May 17 in the past two years?

County	Share answering "Yes"
National average	38%
Oslo	50%
Akershus	37%
Buskerud	39%
Innlandet	32%
Vestfold	49%
Telemark	47%
Agder	37%
Rogaland	37%
Vestland	37%
Møre og Romsdal	38%
Trøndelag	37%
Nordland	21%
Troms	37%
Finnmark	39%