Most counties experienced declines during 2023. Among these, four counties recorded decreases exceeding four percent in GRDP measured in constant prices: Västmanland County (-4.8 percent), Norrbotten County and Värmland County (each -4.4 percent), and Gävleborg County (-4.1 percent). An additional ten counties also experienced declines during 2023. These include Blekinge County (-3.1 percent); Kronoberg County and Västernorrland County (-2.9 percent); Dalarna County (-2.4 percent); Jönköping County (-2.2 percent); Uppsala County (-1.5 percent); Kalmar County as well as Västerbotten County (-1.0 percent); Halland County (-0.9 percent); and Örebro County (-0.3 percent).

The two largest counties, Stockholm County and Västra Götaland County, increased by 0.7 and 1.6 percentage points respectively, and together contributed 0.5 percentage points to the overall economy—mitigating the total decline in GDP. Sweden’s GDP fell by 0.2 percent in constant prices. Among the remaining counties, only Södermanland County contributed positively to growth. With a 2.5-percent increase—the largest among the counties in 2023—it added 0.1 percentage point to the overall figure. An additional four counties posted increases that did not significantly affect the national economy: Gotland County rose by 2.0 percent, Östergötland County by 0.7 percent, and both Skåne County and Jämtland County inched up by 0.1 percent each.

The differences in volume growth rates between various counties reflect their diverse industrial structures. Overall, the goods-producing industries decreased by 4 percent, while the service-producing industries increased by 2.2 percent.

Three Counties Exceed the National Average in GRDP per Inhabitant

Stockholm County, Norrbotten County, and Västra Götaland County surpassed the national average in GRDP per inhabitant. Stockholm County recorded the highest GRDP per inhabitant at 800,000 SEK. Norrbotten and Västra Götaland ranked second and third, with 630,000 SEK and 609,000 SEK respectively, compared to the national average of 583,000 SEK. It should be noted that the GRDP per inhabitant metric is affected by commuter flows.

Four Counties Exceed the National Average in GRDP per Employed Person

The national average for GDP per employed person was 1,124,000 SEK in 2023. As in the previous year, Stockholm County and Norrbotten County exceeded this average with GRDP per employed figures of 1,374,000 SEK and 1,225,000 SEK, respectively, measured in current prices. Additionally, in 2023, Västra Götaland County and Uppsala County also surpassed the average, with GRDP per employed person of 1,141,000 SEK and 1,135,000 SEK, respectively.

Disposable income per inhabitant increased in all counties in 2023

In 2023, the average disposable income per inhabitant in Sweden was SEK 275,000 – reflecting a 5 percent increase in current prices compared to 2022. Stockholm and Halland were the only counties with disposable incomes above the national average. Stockholm also recorded the highest disposable income per inhabitant, at SEK 322,000 ­­­– an increase of 4.9 percent from the previous year. The lowest disposable income per inhabitant was in Örebro County, where it rose by 3.8 percent to SEK 247,000.

All counties experience growth in disposable income per inhabitant in 2023 compared to the previous year. The largest increase was observed in Gotland County, which recorded a 6.8 percent rise. Örebro County saw the smallest increase, at 3.8 percent.

Gross fixed capital formation increased in West Sweden

Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) increased, in current prices, in six out of eight NUTS 2 regions in 2023 (for more information on NUTS 2 regions, see the explanatory notes at the end of this publication). The largest increase in GFCF was noted in West Sweden where investments increased by SEK 46.1 billion compared with the previous year. West Sweden also showed the largest growth and increased by 15 percent in current prices, which can be compared to the increase of 4.9 percent for the entire country. East-Central Sweden had the weakest growth and showed a decrease in GFCF by 5.7 percent in current prices.

Preliminary data for regional accounts for 2024 will be published on 2025-12-17 at 08:00.