Ruth Anlaug Ryste (24 July 1932 – 21 September 2023) was a Norwegian trade unionist and politician for the Labour Party.
She finished commerce school in 1950, and from 1950 to 1970 she worked with welfare in Bamble municipality.
During her tenure, the government notably passed legislation allowing self-determined abortion.
In 1979 she left the Minister position to become director of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Many years after retiring she was elected to Porsgrunn city council for the term 2007 to 2011.