Sweden Population

Sweden Population

Sweden is the largest and most populous country in the Nordic countries. The country has large resources in the form of timber, minerals and hydropower. This has made it possible to develop industry, which in turn has given Sweden a high standard of living and a good welfare system.

Key figures and facts

  • Capital: Stockholm
  • Ethnic groups: Swedes, with Finnish-Swedish and Sami minorities Most common ethnicity among immigrants: Finns, Syrians, Iraqis, Poles, Iranians
  • Language: Swedish (official), official minority languages ​​include Finnish, Sami, Yiddish and Meänkieli
  • Religion: Protestants 63%, others (including Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Muslims, Jews and Buddhists) 17% (2016)
  • Population: 9 911 000
  • Control Form: Constitutional monarchy
  • Area: 447 420 km²
  • Currency: Swedish kroner
  • GNP per capita: 48 905 PPP $
  • National Day: June 6th

Population of Sweden

In January 2017, Sweden’s population exceeded 10 million. In recent years, growth has been relatively high, 10 percent in the period 2000 to 2015, compared to 2 percent for Europe as a whole. In the same period, Norway saw 16 percent growth in population. The settlement shows a high degree of regional concentration to southern and central regions. Norrland, with 60 percent of the area, has only 12 percent of the population.

Sweden Country Population

Population of Sweden by Year (Historical)

Year Population Annual Growth Rate Population Density Global Rank
2020 10,099,154 0.630% 24.6119 91
2019 10,036,268 0.650% 24.4587 91
2018 9,971,527 0.670% 24.3009 89
2017 9,904,785 0.700% 24.1383 89
2016 9,835,896 0.730% 23.9704 89
2015 9,764,839 0.790% 23.7972 90
2010 9,390,057 0.770% 22.8839 89
2005 9,038,512 0.350% 22.0272 88
2000 8,881,529 0.100% 21.6446 82
1995 8,836,309 0.620% 21.5344 81
1990 8,567,273 0.500% 20.8787 78
1985 8,357,541 0.100% 20.3676 74
1980 8,316,227 0.290% 20.2669 70
1975 8,197,229 0.350% 19.9769 65
1970 8,054,805 0.790% 19.6299 65
1965 7,745,562 0.690% 18.8762 64
1960 7,482,432 0.600% 18.2350 60
1955 7,262,512 0.710% 17.6990 55
1950 7,009,801 0.000% 17.0832 52

Major Cities in Sweden by Population

Rank City Population
1 Stockholm 1,514,906
2 Goeteborg 572,688
3 Malmoe 301,595
4 Uppsala 149,134
5 Sollentuna 139,495
6 Soedermalm 127,212
7 Vaesteras 117,635
8 OErebro 115,654
9 Linkoeping 106,391
10 Helsingborg 104,139
11 Joenkoeping 93,686
12 Norrkoeping 93,654
13 Huddinge 90,071
14 Lund 87,133
15 Umea 83,138
16 Haninge 74,857
17 Gaevle 74,773
18 Boras 71,589
19 Soedertaelje 70,666
20 Kungsholmen 69,252
21 Eskilstuna 67,248
22 Solna 66,798
23 Halmstad 66,013
24 Vaexjoe 65,272
25 Karlstad 61,381
26 Bromma 60,889
27 Moelndal 59,319
28 Vasastan 58,347
29 Taby 58,012
30 Sundsvall 57,495
31 OEstersund 49,695
32 Trollhaettan 48,462
33 Lulea 43,463
34 Lidingoe 42,355
35 Borlaenge 41,844
36 Tumba 40,721
37 Kristianstad 39,651
38 Kalmar 38,297
39 Falun 36,889
40 Skoevde 36,731
41 Upplands Vaesby 36,423
42 Karlskrona 36,366
43 OEstermalm 36,307
44 Skelleftea 35,405
45 Uddevalla 34,670
46 Sundbyberg 34,418
47 Varberg 34,137
48 Akersberga 32,548
49 OErnskoeldsvik 32,382
50 Landskrona 32,118
51 Nykoeping 32,113
52 Vallentuna 31,826
53 Motala 30,833
54 Trelleborg 29,205
55 Majorna 29,143
56 Partille 28,537
57 Karlskoga 27,379
58 Maersta 26,923
59 Lerum 26,802
60 Alingsas 26,218
61 Nacka 25,059
62 Sandviken 24,613
63 Kungaelv 23,990
64 Falkenberg 23,988
65 Boo 23,941
66 Jakobsberg 23,935
67 Visby 23,291
68 Katrineholm 23,172
69 AEngelholm 23,129
70 Vaenersborg 23,008
71 Bjoerlanda 22,977
72 Pitea 22,956
73 Lidkoeping 22,877
74 Enkoeping 22,442
75 Huskvarna 21,389
76 Vaestervik 21,067
77 Gustavsberg 20,663
78 Karlshamn 20,001
79 Norrtaelje 19,254
80 Haessleholm 19,198
81 Vaernamo 18,950
82 Ystad 18,695
83 Kungsbacka 18,587
84 Esloev 18,481
85 Kristinehamn 18,446
86 Haernoesand 18,315
87 Koeping 18,244
88 Oskarshamn 18,176
89 Naessjoe 17,608
90 Moelnlycke 17,468
91 Falkoeping 17,059
92 Tensta 16,972
93 Kiruna 16,926
94 Rasunda 16,766
95 Boden 16,719
96 Arsta 16,696
97 Kumla 16,552
98 Gamla Uppsala 16,120
99 Mariestad 16,011
100 Hudiksvall 15,970
101 Tullinge 15,889
102 Ljungby 15,674
103 Staffanstorp 15,262
104 Ludvika 15,134
105 Kinna 14,908
106 Hoellviken 14,778
107 Billdal 14,763
108 Hoeganaes 14,667
109 Tranas 14,439
110 Nynaeshamn 14,421
111 Arvika 13,815
112 Bollnaes 13,605
113 Straengnaes 13,582
114 Skoghall 13,494
115 Vetlanda 13,319
116 Balsta 13,027
117 Stenungsund 12,982
118 Sala 12,976
119 Bunkeflostrand 12,937
120 Nybro 12,928
121 Mjoelby 12,747
122 Finspang 12,696
123 Oxie 12,554
124 Ronneby 12,501
125 Mora 12,491
126 Lomma 12,257
127 Onsala 12,164
128 Soederhamn 12,148
129 Hoeoer 12,041
130 Avesta 11,838
131 Fagersta 11,825
132 Svedala 11,685
133 Handen 11,413
134 Ekeroe 11,394
135 Skara 11,326
136 Alby 11,289
137 Oxeloesund 11,046
138 Noedinge-Nol 11,006
139 Lindome 10,831
140 Arboga 10,730
141 Hallstahammar 10,676
142 Jordbro 10,646
143 Ulricehamn 10,518
144 Bjuv 10,491
145 Segeltorp 10,425
146 Timra 10,384
147 Gaellivare 10,251
148 Kista 10,143
149 Gislaved 10,069
150 Eksjoe 10,046
151 Kungsaengen 10,040
152 Torslanda 10,018
153 Bjaerred 9,733
154 Ahus 9,729
155 Saevja 9,612
156 Lindesberg 9,460
157 AElmhult 9,384
158 Saltsjoebaden 9,366
159 Amal 9,262
160 Kaevlinge 9,209
161 Alta 9,163
162 Astorp 9,104
163 Saeffle 9,039
164 Arloev 8,997
165 Sigtuna 8,963
166 Soelvesborg 8,861
167 Torshaella 8,817
168 Djursholm 8,745
169 Landvetter 8,728
170 Kvissleby 8,674
171 Alvesta 8,516
172 Lycksele 8,434
173 Bankeryd 8,395
174 Klippan 8,300
175 Tibro 8,285
176 Bro 8,155
177 Tidaholm 8,064
178 Akalla 8,042
179 Hallsberg 8,035
180 Fisksaetra 8,006
181 Skurup 7,929
182 Vimmerby 7,926
183 Gardsten 7,914
184 Brevik 7,913
185 Knivsta 7,866
186 Hammarkullen 7,803
187 Sjoebo 7,799
188 Bromoella 7,743
189 Habo 7,629
190 Lysekil 7,623
191 Kil 7,516
192 Osby 7,443
193 Olofstroem 7,415
194 Fittja 7,389
195 Kalix 7,384
196 Hoerby 7,348
197 Soederkoeping 7,307
198 Solleftea 7,288
199 Hedemora 7,260
200 Nykvarn 7,216
201 Bergshamra 7,189
202 Ljusdal 7,148
203 Degerfors 7,079
204 Stroemstad 7,065
205 Valbo 7,036
206 Loevgaerdet 7,002
207 Skanoer med Falsterbo 6,966
208 Atvidaberg 6,903
209 Aby 6,806
210 Tomelilla 6,715
211 Kallered 6,673
212 Simrishamn 6,668
213 Ljungsbro 6,652
214 Haparanda 6,568
215 Nora 6,486
216 Flen 6,483
217 Kramfors 6,471
218 Laholm 6,416
219 Vellinge 6,385
220 Loeddekoepinge 6,370
221 Forshaga 6,250
222 Storvreta 6,229
223 Soedra Sandby 6,195
224 Dalby 6,191
225 Skutskaer 6,168
226 Surahammar 6,159
227 Hjo 6,092
228 Filipstad 6,008
229 Leksand 5,996
230 Hofors 5,979
231 Asa 5,973
232 Jaerna 5,927
233 Nykvarn 5,921
234 Grabo 5,910
235 Malmberget 5,906
236 Surte 5,892
237 Holmsund 5,851
238 Akarp 5,848
239 Sodra Sandby 5,830
240 Rydebaeck 5,793
241 Kungsoer 5,774
242 Perstorp 5,736
243 Vi 5,730
244 Trosa 5,725
245 Tierp 5,715
246 Gnesta 5,661
247 Lindsdal 5,598
248 Vadstena 5,563
249 Faerjestaden 5,534
250 Mullsjoe 5,473
251 Hultsfred 5,399
252 Skare 5,333
253 Fristad 5,298
254 Akarp 5,282
255 Vargarda 5,273
256 Saevsjoe 5,263
257 Orsa 5,238
258 Hoenoe 5,182
259 Smedjebacken 5,147
260 OEdakra 5,120
261 OErkelljunga 5,082
262 Skare 5,062
263 Raettvik 5,049
264 Bastad 5,035
265 Vaggeryd 5,011
266 Anderstorp 4,965
267 Malmslaett 4,963
268 Krokek 4,942
269 Grums 4,929
270 Goetene 4,916
271 Sunne 4,915

Population trends

Sweden experienced quite a large increase in population in the 19th century, and the agricultural communities of the time were “overpopulated”. Immigration to North America began around 1850. It reached 40,000 emigrants per year in the 1880s, but declined sharply after 1920 with the development of industrial communities and better employment opportunities at home. Since the 1930s, birth rates and mortality in Sweden have been declining.

The decline in birth rates was particularly marked after 1970. Between 1976 and 1986, the annual birth rate was just over 11 per thousand. Then the numbers rose to 1990 with a peak of 14.5 per milliliter, and then to decline again. In 2016, the birth rate was 11.7 per thousand. The death rate dropped sharply between 1930 and 1940. Since then, it has been fairly steady, with fluctuations around 9-11 per thousand. In 2016, the natural population growth (born ÷ dead) amounted to only 3 per thousand. The increase in the population beyond this is due to net immigration.

Over the past fifty years, fertility has shown greater variation than usual in Europe, with low numbers in the 1970s and 1980s, a peak in the 1990s, and then decline. However, overall fertility figures have long been below the level of reproduction. In 2017, the total fertility rate was 1.78.

In the period 2007–2016, the population increased by an average of 0.9 percent annually. The average age in 2017 was calculated to be 84.1 years for women and 80.6 years for men.

Settlement Pattern

Sweden has a generally low population density (24.5 residents per km²), but with significant differences between the different regions and regions. In general, northern Sweden is sparsely populated, but with a somewhat higher population density along the Gulf of Bothnia, while southern and central Sweden (north of Bergslagen) is relatively densely populated.

Regional Population 2018 Area (km²) Population/km²
Götaland 4 888 299 87 357 56
Svealand 4 159 178 80 839 51
Norrland 1 182 692 242 735 5
Kingdom 10 230 169 410 931 25

Table 1. The population is at most unevenly distributed between the south and the north. Norrland has a tenth of the population and over half the area.

The country has experienced sustained urbanization throughout the 20th century, and in 2016, 87 percent of the population lived in cities and towns. More than 35 percent live around and within the major metropolitan areas Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö – Helsingborg. Greater Stockholm has 2.2 million residents (2016), Greater Gothenburg with suburbs around 990,000 residents and Greater Malmö 700,000 residents.

Aborigines

The Sami indigenous population constitutes a small minority group in Sweden of about 17,000 people, of which 2500 are reindeer herding. The Sami live mainly in northern Norrbotten’s Län (Lapland), but many also live further south. The southernmost Sami town in Sweden is Idre in Dalarna.

Immigration

Foreign-born people make up an increasing proportion of the Swedish population. In the 1960s and 1970s there was a high labor migration. Since the 1980s, non-Nordic immigration has been largely characterized by family reunification and refugees.

In 1970, foreign-born people made up 7 percent of the total population, in 2016 17 percent. Finns made up 44 percent of foreign-born in 1970, in 2016 their share had dropped to 9 percent. In addition to people from the Nordic countries, the largest immigrant groups come from the former Yugoslavia, Syria, Iraq, Poland, Iran, Somalia, Germany and Turkey. These live mainly in metropolitan areas. In Greater Stockholm, foreign-born make up 24 percent of the population, in Greater Malmö 23 percent.

Religion

Since the Second World War, the religious image has undergone major changes in Sweden. Freedom for all religious communities and the right to be excluded was enacted in 1951. Later immigration created a pluralistic society, which was one of the main motives behind the abolition of the state church on January 1, 2000.

Swedish Church

In the period 1995-2005, the proportion of the population who are members of the Svenska kyrkan has dropped from 86 percent to 77 percent. The Swedish Church consists of 13 dioceses (dioceses): Uppsala with archbishop, Lund, Växjö, Gothenburg, Skara, Karlstad, Gotland, Linköping, Strängnäs, Stockholm, Västerås, Härnösand and Luleå. About 3200 priests serve in 2200 churches in Sweden. The Archbishop is primus inter pares – the first among equals. Since 1960 (Parliamentary resolution in 1958), the church also has female priests.

The Church’s highest decision-making body is the Church Meeting (since 1982). The 251 members are elected for three years and meet once a year. Decisions are implemented by the Central Board, which consists of the Archbishop and members elected by the Church Assembly for three years. The bishops do not have the right to vote at the Church Meeting.

After the revocation of the state church, new bishops are appointed by election in the diocese in question. Although the Church of Sweden is governed by its own law, it is still evangelical-Lutheran, nationwide, democratic and episcopal. Instead of church tax, church activities are funded by a membership fee. Current members continue automatically, while new members must be registered. The Church of Sweden has retained all of its properties and remains responsible for funerals.

History

The Christianization of Sweden began in the 830s (see Ansgar) and ended after 1100. The oldest diocese is Skara, founded around 1014. The country became a separate church province in 1164, when the Archdiocese of Uppsala was established. From the end of the 13th century, the glory of the Swedish medieval church began with many monastic foundations, numerous church buildings, rich literature and great political power for the bishops.

The Reformation era was dramatic, with significant church members such as the brothers Olaus and Laurentius Petri on the evangelical and Archbishop Olaus Magnus and the Jesuit monastery on the Catholic side. Johan 3 represented a middle position. On the parliament in Västerås in 1527 Gustav Vasa broke with Rome. The history of the Reformation ended with the Uppsala meeting in 1597, where the Stones professed to Lutheran domination.

After the Reformation, the Swedish church became more and more of a state church. A special feature for Sweden is that the priesthood had representatives in the Riksdag and there was a stand of their own until 1868. The church constitution was established in the “church collage” of 1686. Folk revivals in the 19th century usually had a free-church feel and led to the evangelical free churches becoming stronger here than in neighboring countries.

A national church revival, the Young Church Movement, broke out in Sweden in the early 1900s. It had a vision of the people of Sweden as a Christian people, but departed from the Free Church’s notion of pure congregations of professing believers. The movement’s leaders were Johan A. Eklund, Nathan Söderblom, Einar M. Billing and Manfred Björkquist.

From the 1960s, Swedish theology has been characterized by efforts to meet the criticism that has been directed at Christianity from philosophical and natural sciences. Unlike other Nordic countries, in Swedish theology and church life there has been a clear element of high church, with, among other things, a certain emphasis on apostolic succession.

Free Churches

In 2005, the Pentecostal movement numbered around 90,000 members, the Swedish Mission Church around 65,000, the newly built around 30,000, the Salvation Army around 25,000, the Baptist community around 17,500, the Alliance Mission around 13,000, and the Methodist Church around 5,000. Many are members of more than one faith community. Most free churches go back; 2.1 percent of the population were members of free churches in 2005, compared with 3.1 percent in 1990.

Other faiths

The Catholic Church had 85,000 members in 2002, the Eastern Orthodox around 95,600, many of them influencers. The Catholics have their bishop in Stockholm. An estimated 250,000 ethnic Muslims exist. There are minorities of Jews (around 20,000), Hindus (around 4,000) and Buddhists (around 4,000).

Language

The official language and mother tongue of the majority of the population is Swedish. Since 2002, Sami, Finnish, Tornedal Finnish (meänkieli), Romani and Yiddish have been given official status as a minority language. Swedish sign language also has official status.

In Norrbotten, northern Sweden, there is a Sami-speaking minority numbering about 9,000 people, and a native Finnish-speaking minority of about 50,000. Finnish is by far the largest minority language. Through refugees and asylum seekers, the country has gained linguistic minorities of Slavic speakers from the Balkans, Spanish speakers from Latin America, Arabic and Persian speakers.