Housing Shortage
What does it mean?
Sweden has faced a housing shortage for decades, and the problem has worsened since the 2000s. According to Boverket's (National Board of Housing) housing market survey, a majority of the country's municipalities report a deficit of housing, particularly in the metropolitan regions of Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. The shortage primarily affects young people, newcomers, single parents, and low-income households who cannot afford new construction or cooperative housing.
The causes are complex: insufficient housing construction during the 1990s and 2000s, population growth driven by immigration and urbanization, a rent regulation system that reduces mobility, and high construction costs combined with lengthy planning processes. The consequences extend beyond the housing market — the shortage hampers the labour market, increases overcrowding, drives illegal contract trading, and contributes to rising homelessness.
Key Points
- Around 240 of 290 municipalities report housing shortages according to Boverket
- Greatest shortage in metropolitan regions and university cities
- Primarily affects young people, newcomers, and low-income households
- Causes: low construction, population growth, regulation, high building costs
- Leads to illegal trading, overcrowding, long queue times, and increased homelessness
Practical Tip
Register in the housing queue as early as possible — in Stockholm, wait times can exceed 10 years for desirable areas. Broaden your search geographically and use multiple channels in parallel: housing queue, private landlords, and platforms like Bofrid.
Based on content from Bofrid's Knowledge Bank