Increased Willingness to Move to Northern Sweden

Norwegian version.

Nearly two-thirds of young adults are willing to consider moving to Norrbotten and Västerbotten. That is revealed in a new survey carried out by Novus on behalf of the Swedish state-owned mining company LKAB.

According to the report, 35 percent (an increase of 5 percent) of the Swedes and 62 percent (an increase of 21 percent) of those between 18 and 29 may consider moving northward if they land a job they want.

Willingness to move has increased in one year

From 41 percent willing to move last year, 62 percent of those surveyed between 18 and 29 are now willing to move to Northern Norrland if the conditions are right.

Proximity to nature (43 percent), job opportunities (39 percent), and less stress (21 percent) were the main reasons among all the respondents.

"This is a significant difference from the past two years when we conducted this survey. Particularly among young people and job seekers, the interest has increased significantly, and it is very positive to see that the threshold for people to move here has been lowered," says Maria Reinholdsson, HR Director at LKAB, in a press release.

Nature is important

The survey reveals that nature is an important factor, which remains the biggest attraction. However, the job market has the highest increase.

43 percent (a decrease of 8 percent) say that it is mainly nature that attracts. Good job opportunities are the second most cited reason and indicate 39 percent (an increase of 7 percent).

The most popular municipality is still Umeå. 38 percent say they would prefer to move to Umeå, while 24 percent state Luleå.

Those under 30 are most positive to the municipalities in Norrbotten. A whopping 68 percent of those under 30 name one of Norrbotten's municipalities as their favorite. Luleå, on the Norrland coast, is most popular among young people under 30, with 36 percent.

Stronger development in the north

The results disclose that over half see Northern Norrland as Sweden's winner. 54 percent of the Swedes believe that Northern Norrland will develop better than the rest of Sweden. Only 13 percent (a decrease of 5 percent) believe it will develop in a worse direction.

Extensive industrialization is currently taking place in several places in Northern Sweden. Climate change and the green shift are the driving force behind several of the ventures. Many of the planned industrial investments, from mineral extraction to batteries and steel, are closely connected to fossil-free production and electrification.

The results from the survey also expose that the awareness of future investments in the north is significantly increasing. 69 percent (an increase of 9 percent) are familiar with the major future investments that are made in Northern Norrland, first and foremost within electrification and sustainable iron and steel.

The report states that the increasing need for skilled labor entails great opportunities but also major challenges.

“In addition to ample employment opportunities, there must also be a range of housing, recreational activities, schools, and healthcare services to encourage those who have moved north to stay. How can we collectively address this? It is a key issue to solve, urgent for Norrbotten but also important for the whole of Sweden,” says Anders Öberg, Regional Councilor at Region Norrbotten, in the press release.

Mining and self-sufficiency

Over half of the Swedes want more mining, according to the survey. 53 percent of the Swedes believe Sweden's mining industry should expand. Only 2 percent believe it should be reduced, and 22 percent think it should remain as is. The inhabitants of Eastern Sweden are the most positive to increased mining (61 percent), and the northerners (49 percent) and the Stockholmers are the least positive (51 percent).

Of those who want more mining, 63 percent say self-sufficiency is the most important reason. Growth and job opportunities come second with 47 percent, and the climate comes third with 43 percent. 

This article was originally published in Norwegian and has been translated by Birgitte Annie Molid Martinussen.