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Sweden Today

Swedish news in English

Friday, September 20, 2024

Stockholm's Growth and Labor Crisis

Published: 2024-09-15

Stockholm's growth is slowing, prompting a reevaluation of regional planning.

The current regional plan anticipates a population of 3.3 million by 2060, which is half a million more than recent forecasts.

This discrepancy raises concerns about overbuilding and unnecessary costs.

Meanwhile, a new forecast highlights a critical shortage of workers in healthcare, education, and social services, with 180,000 additional employees needed by 2033. Despite a projected population increase of 137,000 by 2033, this growth is insufficient to meet labor demands.

The housing crisis exacerbates the issue, with an urgent need for 20,000 new homes annually, yet only 15,400 have been completed each year since 2015. Regional leaders stress the importance of national support to address these challenges, warning of severe impacts on the economy and welfare if unaddressed.