There were almost 2 000 localities in Sweden in 2010. The total population in localities was 8 016 000 inhabitants, or 85 percent of the total Swedish population. During 2005 – 2010, the population in urban areas or localities increased by 383 000 inhabitants. In 2010 there were nearly 1 400 000 people living outside localities, which is a decrease of 15 000 people compared to 2005.
On average, the share of people in localities, ages 0–19 years old, was 23 percent of the total population. 18 percent was 65 years or older. The largest share of young people in localities was found in Stockholm and Halland Counties, both with more than 24 percent young people.
The share of young people is decreasing while the older is increasing
The largest share of persons aged 65 and above was found in Kalmar County at more than 22 percent. Stockholm County had the lowest share of older persons, at 15 percent. Stockholm County also had the largest proportion of persons aged 20–64, at 61 percent.
Considerable share of young persons in smaller localities
Even though Stockholm County and in general the metropolitan counties had the highest share of young inhabitants, the large localities did not account for the largest share of young people. Instead, the smaller localities had the largest shares of young inhabitants. One fourth of the inhabitants in localities of less than 5 000 inhabitants were under age 20.
More women in large localities
Larger areas had a greater share of women while smaller areas had a greater share of men. Women comprised a majority in localities with 2 000 inhabitants or more. When looking at age, the older women aged 65 and above contributed the most to female dominance in the larger areas. Localities in the size group 50 000–99 999 inhabitants had nearly 40 percent more women than men aged 65 and above. However, women aged 0–64 comprised a smaller share, regardless of the size of the locality.