In Oslo in 1979, 1604 fractures were recorded in persons over 20 years of age. Eighty-three per cent were women. In men, the age specific incidence increased only slightly with age. In women, however, the incidence increased in the years around and after menopause, declining again after 75. Even after correcting for falls occurring in winter, the incidence was significantly higher than reported from Sweden and the U.K.