Vestland survey finds financial disparities in health and worsening mental wellbeing

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Vestland county conducted a population survey in spring 2026 assessing health, wellbeing, lifestyle, social conditions and neighbourhood perceptions. Nearly 69,000 residents aged 18 years or older participated, with a response rate of 30.9%. Results were weighted to account for sampling and nonresponse and compared with the 2022 survey.

Almost 68% rated their health as good or very good. This proportion was approximately three in ten among respondents describing their finances as very difficult, compared with eight in ten among those finding their finances very easy to manage. Reported financial difficulty increased from 19% in 2022 to 23% in 2026 and was associated with poorer outcomes across health, sleep, loneliness, social support and life satisfaction.

Compared with 2022, respondents reported lower life satisfaction, fewer positive emotions, less social support and lower trust in others, alongside greater psychological distress. Approximately one in seven reported sleep problems and nearly one in five had obesity. The youngest participants reported the most psychological distress, loneliness and financial challenges. However, social participation increased and several alcohol-use measures improved.

The findings support consideration of living conditions and social inequalities in public-health planning. They cannot establish whether financial difficulties cause poorer health, result from health problems or reflect other underlying factors. Financial difficulty was self-assessed rather than measured through income or wealth changes; the response rate also warrants caution about representativeness despite weighting.