The Population density in 1989
The population density is mapped in squares of 100 sq.km size. The density scale is logarithmic. To find the density per sq.km the density figures must be divided by 100.

Half the population of Sweden is concentrated to 3% of the territory.

There is a sharp contrast between the fairly well populated southern third of the country with the three main urban areas of Stockholm, G�teborg and Malm� and the northern two thirds. Here we find the majority of people in the coastal area, along the rivers and a few places inland of old agricultural areas or mining districts.

The geographic pattern of population distribution has been fairly stable through the last 250 years, only that the concentration to urban centres has grown immensely.

Around 30% of Sweden, an area twice as large as Belgium and Netherlands together is virtually uninhabited, although its natural resources, forest and water-power are fully developed.

The low density of population and the long distances combined with a long winter in most of the country present serious problems to the welfare state.

The population pyramid