During the first half of the year, the population increased in 128 of Sweden’s 190 municipalities, statistics from Statistics Norway show. But in 161 municipalities it decreased.
Bjurholm has been the country’s smallest municipality since it was formed in 1938. Until the last of May this year. By then, the municipality with its 2,378 inhabitants had overtaken Dorotea by the smallest possible margin – a single inhabitant. The number of inhabitants in Bjurholm had then increased by six, while Dorotea had 36 fewer.
But when the statistics from Statistics Norway up to and including June are now presented, Dorotea once again has more residents.
“Families with children move here”
Bjurholm now has 2,363 inhabitants, while Dorotea has 2,378. In Bjurholm, people continue to work to increase the population and, despite the announcement, look positively on the future in the municipality.
– We know that we have a lot to work on, including when it comes to delayed maintenance on properties. But we see that it is primarily families with children who are moving to the municipality now. It is a positive development. According to calculations, we would also have decreased even more, says Christina Lidström (M), municipal councilor, in Bjurholm.
In the video below, you can hear Christina Lidström (M) when Dorotea took the place of reducing the municipality.