At the end of 2023, Sweden had a population of 10,551,700 people and during the year the population increased by 30,200 people. Population growth, which is affected by how many people die, are born, immigrate and emigrate, has not been this low since 2001, statistics from Statistics Sweden (SCB) show.
The number of emigrants from Sweden increased last year. 73,400 people emigrated, which was an increase of 22,800 people compared to 2022.
– We have seen that emigration has increased to a greater degree than in previous years, so it is emigration that has played a role, says Guadalupe Andersson, population statistician at Statistics Norway.
The majority who emigrated, almost 70 percent, were of working age between 20 and 64.
Fewer immigrate to Sweden
Last year, the number of people immigrating to Sweden decreased. Compared to 2022, it decreased by 7,900 people to 94,500 people. The largest part of immigrants were returning persons born in Sweden.
– We can’t see in the statistics why fewer immigrate to Sweden, but I can imagine that both the world situation and national regulations can have an impact, says Guadalupe Andersson.
Asylum seekers are not counted in the number of immigrating persons. They are included in the statistics when they have obtained a residence permit and entered the population register in Sweden.
Childbearing is decreasing
In 2023, 100,100 children were born in Sweden and not since 2003 have so few children been born. Since 2010, childbearing has had a downward trend in Sweden and the number of children born per woman is now the lowest ever measured by Statistics Norway.
– The low birth rate contributes to the lower population growth.
The population also decreased in 12 out of 21 counties and in 193 out of 290 municipalities. That is significantly more than in 2022, when the population decreased in five counties and 131 municipalities. Among the counties, the decrease is greatest in Gävleborg, with a decrease of 1,700 people.