Private enterprises within education are financed by public funds to a degree of 65 percent, a decrease of two percentage points. Within health care the comparable figure is 57 percent, a decrease of one percentage point. And within social services the level is 92 percent, an increase ofsix percentage points.

Purchases of services continue to rise

During 2011 the municipalities’ purchases of services increased by 5 percent compared to the previous year, and amounted to SEK 81 billion, of which SEK 49 billion was from private enterprises. The county councils purchased activities for SEK 39 billion, of which SEK 22 billion was from private enterprises, an increase of 7 percent.

However, large regional differences exist. Municipalities and county councils in Stockholm County purchased activities for 19 percent of operational expenditures compared with 3 percent for the county of Kalmar. On average and for the country as a whole, municipalities and county councils purchased activities for 10 percent of operational expenditures within education, health care and social services in 2011.

Number of employees also increases

In 2011 the number of employees was 1.2 million, an increase of 10 000 compared to the previous year. The greatest increase in employment occurred in the private sector, though in the municipalities the number of employees had decreased during 2011. It is in the social services and education the number of employees increased the most.

Net turnover per employee is highest within health care

Net turnover per employee showed the highest rate for private enterprises within health care, SEK 824 000. For private enterprises within education and social services the rate was about SEK 500 000. In comparison, private enterprises within the total service sector the rate was SEK 769 000.

Differences in levels of education

Within education the municipalities have a greater proportion of employees with post-secondary education than the private enterprises, 69 percent compared with 60 percent. Within health care though, the proportion with post-secondary education is as high within the county councils as within the private enterprises, 70 percent. Within social services the municipalities have 26 percent with post-secondary education, while the private enterprises have a higher proportion, 29 percent.