ABSTRACT
Educational characteristics are highly correlated with labour market outcomes. This is reflected in the Norwegian microsimulation model MOSART where education is an important factor in explaining the behaviour of the individuals in the labour market and other outcomes through life. The Norwegian educational system consists of 10 years of compulsory education, followed by three or four years of high school. Most students complete compulsory education at 16. The MOSART model is a microsimulation model used to analyse the pension system, public expenditure and the labour supply. Educational background has been an important characteristic in the MOSART model from the start. Administrative register data from Statistics Norway are used when updating the information on educational background. All immigrants coming to Norway are assigned to the category unknown education. Immigrants can have their education approved and registered by applying for it, and some do also enrol in the Norwegian education.
