Economy, jobs and prices in Västsverige, Sweden: official figures
GDP per person was 42,700 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2024, 107% of the EU average; 3rd highest of 8 regions in Sweden. PPS adjust for price differences between countries.
How big is the economy of Västsverige?
The regional economy produced €107.6 billion of output (GDP at market prices) in 2024, 19.3% of Sweden's GDP.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Västsverige?
The unemployment rate (age 15 to 74) was 8.5% in 2025, against 8.8% for Sweden and 6.0% across the EU; 4th highest of 8 regions in Sweden.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is youth unemployment in Västsverige?
Youth unemployment (age 15 to 24) was 21.7% in 2025, against 24.3% for Sweden; 7th highest of 8 regions in Sweden.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow much does Västsverige spend on research and development?
Spending on research and development came to 5.63% of GDP in 2023 (3.64% nationally).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people work in Västsverige?
Västsverige had 1,058,880 people working at workplaces in the area in 2024, 2nd most among the 8 national areas.
Source: RKA (Rådet för främjande av kommunala analyser), Kolada · saved copyWhat are average wages in Västsverige?
Workplaces in Västsverige paid a total wage bill of SEK 454.7 billion in 2024, about SEK 429,375 per person employed, 2nd highest among the 8 national areas.
Source: RKA (Rådet för främjande av kommunala analyser), Kolada · saved copyHow many people in Västsverige are long-term unemployed?
Long-term unemployment (people out of work for a year or more) stood at 1.5% of the labour force in 2025, compared with 1.8% nationally and 1.9% in the EU; the lowest of 6 statistical regions in Sweden. In 2015 it was 1.1%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate for women in Västsverige?
Unemployment among women was 8.4% in 2025, compared with 8.8% nationally and 6.2% in the EU; 4th highest of 8 statistical regions in Sweden. In 2015 it was 6.6%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many women in Västsverige are in work?
The employment rate for women aged 20 to 64 reached 80.2% in 2025, compared with 79.8% nationally and 71.3% in the EU; 4th lowest of 8 statistical regions in Sweden. In 2015 it was 79.3%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs the economy of Västsverige growing?
Output (gross value added, after inflation) changed by -1.8% in 2024, compared with 1.0% nationally; the lowest of 8 statistical regions in Sweden. In 2014 it was 2.2%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Västsverige?
Residents of Västsverige owned 466 cars per 1,000 people in 2024, compared with 470 nationally; 3rd lowest of 8 statistical regions in Sweden. In 2014 it was 467.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Västsverige?
Employers paid an average of €30,138 per employee in 2023, counting wages, salaries and employer social contributions, against €31,078 across Sweden; 3rd highest of 8 statistical regions in Sweden.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Västsverige?
Hotels, campsites and other tourist accommodation recorded 14.4 million nights in 2025, 27% of them by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Västsverige?
The largest part of the economy of Västsverige in 2024 was industry (manufacturing, mining and energy), at 24.3% of gross value added, followed by public administration, education, health and other services (23.0%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Västsverige?
Industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) made up 24.3% of output in 2024, against 18.0% for Sweden.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Västsverige growing?
Gross value added rose from €78.5 billion in 2015 to €96.3 billion in 2024 in current prices, an increase of 23% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Västsverige?
Of the 1,095,790 jobs located in Västsverige in 2024, 38% in public services, education, health and other services, 14% in industry and 2.4% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Västsverige?
The number of people working in Västsverige rose by 12.6% between 2015 and 2024, to 1,095,790.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- The share of jobs in manufacturing and mining in Västsverige stood at 12.4% in 2024; the figure for Sweden was 10.7% (computed from the county figures for Halland, Västra Götaland). Source: RKA (Rådet för främjande av kommunala analyser), Kolada · saved copy
- In 2024, the share of jobs in the private sector in Västsverige was 68.2%, compared with 68.5% for Sweden as a whole; that was 2nd highest among the national areas (computed from the county figures for Halland, Västra Götaland). Source: RKA (Rådet för främjande av kommunala analyser), Kolada · saved copy
- Västsverige ranked 7th of 8 national areas on the share of jobs in municipalities and regions in 2024, at 25.0% against a national figure of 23.3% (computed from the county figures for Halland, Västra Götaland). Source: RKA (Rådet för främjande av kommunala analyser), Kolada · saved copy
- Västsverige ranked 6th of 8 national areas on the share of jobs in central government in 2024, at 4.6% against a national figure of 5.7% (computed from the county figures for Halland, Västra Götaland). Source: RKA (Rådet för främjande av kommunala analyser), Kolada · saved copy
- 14,795 new companies were started in Västsverige in 2025, 2nd most among the 8 national areas. Source: RKA (Rådet för främjande av kommunala analyser), Kolada · saved copy
How Västsverige compares with other statistical regions
The share of jobs in manufacturing and mining (2024)
Västsverige ranks 5 of 8, highest first. Computed from county figures
| Rank | Region | The share of jobs in manufacturing and mining |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Norra Mellansverige | 13.7% |
| 3 | Övre Norrland | 13.4% |
| 4 | Östra Mellansverige | 12.7% |
| 5 | Västsverige | 12.4% |
| 6 | Mellersta Norrland | 10.0% |
| 7 | Sydsverige | 9.7% |
| 8 | Stockholm | 5.2% |
The share of jobs in the private sector (2024)
Västsverige ranks 2 of 8, highest first. Computed from county figures
| Rank | Region | The share of jobs in the private sector |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockholm | 77.4% |
| 2 | Västsverige | 68.2% |
| 3 | Sydsverige | 66.8% |
| 4 | Småland med öarna | 65.1% |
| 5 | Östra Mellansverige | 63.8% |
| 6 | Norra Mellansverige | 63.7% |
| 7 | Övre Norrland | 61.7% |
New companies started (2025)
Västsverige ranks 2 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | New companies started |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockholm | 22,197 |
| 2 | Västsverige | 14,795 |
| 3 | Sydsverige | 11,483 |
| 4 | Östra Mellansverige | 10,582 |
| 5 | Småland med öarna | 5,093 |
| 6 | Norra Mellansverige | 4,883 |
| 7 | Övre Norrland | 3,153 |
Wage bill per person employed at workplaces in the area (2024)
Västsverige ranks 2 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Wage bill per person employed at workplaces in the area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockholm | SEK 513,652 |
| 2 | Västsverige | SEK 429,375 |
| 3 | Sydsverige | SEK 422,912 |
| 4 | Övre Norrland | SEK 414,648 |
| 5 | Östra Mellansverige | SEK 407,888 |
| 6 | Småland med öarna | SEK 391,124 |
| 7 | Norra Mellansverige | SEK 389,313 |
Long-term unemployment (% of labour force) (2025)
Västsverige ranks 6 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Long-term unemployment (% of labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydsverige | 2.8% |
| 2 | Norra Mellansverige | 2.0% |
| 3 | Östra Mellansverige | 1.9% |
| 4 | Småland med öarna | 1.8% |
| 5 | Stockholm | 1.6% |
| 6 | Västsverige | 1.5% |
Unemployment rate, women (2025)
Västsverige ranks 4 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, women |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydsverige | 10.3% |
| 2 | Östra Mellansverige | 9.3% |
| 3 | Stockholm | 8.8% |
| 4 | Västsverige | 8.4% |
| 5 | Norra Mellansverige | 8.3% |
| 6 | Småland med öarna | 8.2% |
| 7 | Övre Norrland | 6.9% |
Employment rate, women aged 20-64 (2025)
Västsverige ranks 5 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employment rate, women aged 20-64 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mellersta Norrland | 82.3% |
| 3 | Småland med öarna | 81.0% |
| 4 | Övre Norrland | 80.7% |
| 5 | Västsverige | 80.2% |
| 6 | Norra Mellansverige | 78.8% |
| 7 | Sydsverige | 77.7% |
| 8 | Östra Mellansverige | 76.7% |
Real growth in gross value added (2024)
Västsverige ranks 8 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real growth in gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sydsverige | 2.8% |
| 3 | Stockholm | 2.5% |
| 4 | Östra Mellansverige | 1.0% |
| 5 | Övre Norrland | 0.6% |
| 6 | Norra Mellansverige | -0.1% |
| 7 | Småland med öarna | -1.7% |
| 8 | Västsverige | -1.8% |
Passenger cars per 1,000 people (2024)
Västsverige ranks 6 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Passenger cars per 1,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mellersta Norrland | 555 |
| 3 | Övre Norrland | 536 |
| 4 | Småland med öarna | 530 |
| 5 | Östra Mellansverige | 474 |
| 6 | Västsverige | 466 |
| 7 | Sydsverige | 461 |
| 8 | Stockholm | 398 |
Compensation per employee (euros) (2023)
Västsverige ranks 3 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Compensation per employee (euros) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockholm | €36,668 |
| 2 | Sydsverige | €30,153 |
| 3 | Västsverige | €30,138 |
| 4 | Övre Norrland | €29,106 |
| 5 | Östra Mellansverige | €28,766 |
| 6 | Mellersta Norrland | €27,850 |
| 7 | Norra Mellansverige | €27,699 |
Nights spent in tourist accommodation (2025)
Västsverige ranks 2 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Nights spent in tourist accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockholm | 15.8 million |
| 2 | Västsverige | 14.4 million |
| 3 | Sydsverige | 7.8 million |
| 4 | Småland med öarna | 6.7 million |
| 5 | Östra Mellansverige | 6.6 million |
| 6 | Norra Mellansverige | 6.4 million |
| 7 | Övre Norrland | 4.7 million |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2024)
Västsverige ranks 2 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Övre Norrland | 26.9% |
| 2 | Västsverige | 24.3% |
| 3 | Småland med öarna | 23.9% |
| 4 | Mellersta Norrland | 22.4% |
| 5 | Norra Mellansverige | 20.6% |
| 6 | Östra Mellansverige | 20.1% |
| 7 | Sydsverige | 16.3% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2024)
Västsverige ranks 3 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockholm | 35.2% |
| 2 | Östra Mellansverige | 24.3% |
| 3 | Västsverige | 22.8% |
| 4 | Sydsverige | 22.2% |
| 5 | Övre Norrland | 18.6% |
| 6 | Mellersta Norrland | 17.3% |
| 7 | Småland med öarna | 16.7% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2024)
Västsverige ranks 7 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mellersta Norrland | 28.5% |
| 3 | Östra Mellansverige | 27.1% |
| 4 | Småland med öarna | 26.8% |
| 5 | Sydsverige | 26.1% |
| 6 | Övre Norrland | 26.0% |
| 7 | Västsverige | 23.0% |
| 8 | Stockholm | 20.0% |
More on Västsverige: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · Sweden
Sources
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