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Socio-economic Review of Dalarna County, Sweden. Oristano, Sardenia 2009-05-07 Stiftelsen Minerva. Rural areas in Sweden. Sweden – a country with large surface and sparse population The north of Sweden is the widest empty space of the European Union
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Socio-economic Review of Dalarna County, Sweden Oristano, Sardenia 2009-05-07 Stiftelsen Minerva
Rural areas in Sweden • Sweden – a country with large surface and sparse population • The north of Sweden is the widest empty space of the European Union • A quarter of the population lives in rural areas* • 22 people per km2(compared to 243 per km2 in Great Britain) • *Definition – areas outside localities with a population of 3000 inhabitants or more
Dalarna County • One of Sweden´s twenty-one counties • The county of Dalarna covers an area that is roughly the size of Belgium • Has a great number of natural geographic regions; different typs of woodland, foothills and alpine regions • Forrest, mire, bare rocks and high mountains • 3 % of the Swedish population lives in Dalarna
Demography and population • 275 750 people are living in Dalarna county • Density of 10 people per km2 • Two major age groups: 13-17 and 57-61 year olds • Slightly more women than men • Average number of children per woman is 2,0 • Population decline, low birth rates and increased mobility of younger people • Changed conditions for public services and infrastructure
Economy • Sweden – high taxes and a large public sector • Exporting nation: Goods and services for SEK 1067 billion:1 EUR = 10,7 SEK) • Income tax in Dalarna county is 33 % (mostly spent on schools and elderly care) • Export from Dalarna County: 4,4 % or SEK 47 billion • Large industries that export wood, paper, pulp and steel
Labour market in rural Dalarna • More women than men are recruited to colleges and universities (1078 women and 765 men) • 81 % of all men and 76 % of all women are gainfully employed • About 90 % of the employed men and 57 % of the employed women have a full-time job • 11 000 company owners are running some kind of business (36 % of the company owners are women)
Labour market in rural Dalarna • The gender segregation is more significant than the national average • The average age of employed people is high – need for replacement recruting • Both men and women are entiteled to parental leave for the first year/years • 75 % of all 1-5 year olds go to pre-school (child care)
Women´s labour market in Dalarna • The most common trades are within nursing and health care • A high number also work as teachers, accounting clerks and shop assistants • Women start their businesses within areas of personal and cultural services • Low representation in managing positions • Women have a lower income (2 000 EUR/month for women and 2 600 EUR/month for men)
Sources • Implementing EU Rural Development 2000-2006. The Swedish Case. • Swedish National Rural Agency • Sweden – Rural Development Plan • County Administrative Board. 2006. Facts about Dalarna • County Administrative Board & Region Dalarna. 2008. Women and Men in Dalarna • Almi Dalarna. 2008. Economic Growth • Confederation of Swedish Enterprise • www.fotofinnaren.se