The employment situation in Ulstein continues to change due to cyclical fluctuations. The labour market very much depends on the situation within shipbuilding and fishing, and this is reflected in the unemployment rates.
Computer-image of the Ulstein X-BOW supply ship to be delivered in 2008.
The number of employed persons expanded by 1 755 from 1990 to 2003. This figure also includes the self-employed.
The Ulstein region represents a limited area in Møre and Romsdal county, but achieves focus in the regional development programme by having strategic industries located in the region. The regional development programme for Møre and Romsdal county is intended to provide guidelines as to how state funds are to be used to further regional development.
Large parts of the Ulstein region in the Møre and Romsdal County are mountainous with outlying fields and bogs. The region still has no road link with the mainland in Ålesund, which is the largest town in north-west Norway with some 35 000 inhabitants.
The Ulstein region consists of two rather large islands. It has four municipalities and a population of just over 22 000 people. The population increased up to the year 2000, since then it began to decline. To travel from Ulstein, one can either go by speedboat to the centre of Ålesund or to Vigra airport, by ferry to the Ålesund region or Ørsta/Volda. This ferry will be replaced by a sub sea tunnel, the "Eiksund-sambandet", in the near future.
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