In 1988 and 1989, 2790 hip fractures were reported from the urban population of Oslo (annual incidence per 10,000 in the age group 50 years and older: women 118.7, men 45.4). For the same period, 385 fractures were reported from the rural population of the county Sogn og Fjordane (annual incidence per 10,000 in the age-group 50 years and older: women 74.6, men 36.7). The hip fracture incidence in Oslo had increased for all sex and age groups above 50 years (except women 50-59 years) in the 10-year period 1978/79 to 1988/89. The incidence of hip fractures in Sogn og Fjordane was only 65% of the incidence in Oslo. These results support previous reports on a secular increase and geographical differences in hip fracture incidence.