Quick facts
Sweden population overview
Sweden is the 12th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 10,681,158 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 114 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 96,130 births (9 per 1,000 people) and 97,199 deaths (9.1 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 42,725 people. The infant mortality rate is 1.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 7,484,656 in 1960 to 10,596,620 in 2025 — a change of +41.6%, or +0.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 40.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 83.7 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16.7% of residents are under 15 and 20.9% are 65 or older (2025); 89.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Stockholm. Sweden covers 528,660 km², giving a population density of about 20.3 people per km². GDP was $669.00B in 2025 — about $63,133 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Sweden population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 10,714,377 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 10,681,158 |
| World rank | #91 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #12 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 96,130 |
| Deaths per year est. | 97,199 |
| Net migration per year est. | +42,725 |
| Birth rate | 9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 1.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 101.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 40.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 83.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 89.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 528,660 km² |
| Population density | 20.3 per km² |
| Capital | Stockholm |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $669.00B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $63,133 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Sweden population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 10,714,377 | – | – |
| 2025 | 10,596,620 | +26,911 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 10,569,709 | +33,077 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 10,536,632 | +49,691 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 10,486,941 | +71,130 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 10,415,811 | +62,369 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 10,353,442 | +554,256 | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 9,799,186 | +421,060 | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 9,378,126 | +348,554 | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 9,029,572 | +157,463 | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 8,872,109 | +45,170 | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 8,826,939 | +268,104 | +0.6% |
| 1990 | 8,558,835 | +208,449 | +0.5% |
| 1985 | 8,350,386 | +39,855 | +0.1% |
| 1980 | 8,310,531 | +118,094 | +0.3% |
| 1975 | 8,192,437 | +149,636 | +0.4% |
| 1970 | 8,042,801 | +308,948 | +0.8% |
| 1965 | 7,733,853 | +249,197 | +0.7% |
| 1960 | 7,484,656 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Sweden
Population over time
- From 7,484,656 in 1960 to 10,714,377 today — up 43.2%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.8% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 84.1 years (2024), up 11.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 9.3 births vs 8.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 0.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 16.7% of the population is under 15 and 20.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 11.7% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 37.77 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 96.17 Mt in 1970 — down 60.7% since.
- Per person: 3.57 t in 2024, vs 11.96 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 4,308.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 21.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 57.9% of final energy in 2021 (+23.8 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 68.7% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 68.9% to 68.7% since 1990 — roughly 1,015 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 89.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 72.5% in 1960 (+16.6 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 16,306 m³ in 2022, down 28.3% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $669.00B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 33.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $63,133 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 8.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.7% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 95.8% of people used the internet in 2025.
- Mobile subscriptions: 140.7 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Sweden in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Sweden in 2026?
As of October 2026, Sweden has an estimated population of 10,714,377. The United Nations estimated 10,681,158 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Sweden growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 114 more people every day. Each year there are about 96,130 births and 97,199 deaths, with net migration of +42,725.
What is the population density of Sweden?
About 20.3 people per square kilometre: 10,714,377 people living on 528,660 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Sweden?
The median age is 40.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 83.7 years. 16.7% of the population is under 15 and 20.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Sweden rank by population?
Sweden is the 91st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 12th in Europe, with 0.1% of the global population.
How has the population of Sweden changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 7,484,656; by 2025 it had grown to 10,596,620 (+41.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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CubaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.