A country with the highest living standards has long been an example of successful economic development according to its own model of "capitalism with a human face." The capital of Sweden is the main showcase of achievements. How many people live in Stockholm and how is described in this short article.
General information
The capital of Sweden is the largest city located on the channels from Lake Mälaren to the Baltic Sea. Stockholm hosts the official residence of the Swedish king, the government, and the country's parliament, the Riksdag, sits. Since the 13th century it has been the largest economic and industrial center of the country.
There are several versions of the etymology of the name: it is formed from the Swedish words stock, which translates as “pillar” or “pile”, and holme is an island, together translated “island on stilts” or “island fortified with stilts”; according to another version, the first part is another Swedish word stack - bay and, accordingly, means "island in the bay."
The population of Stockholm is 939, 238 residents (2017), which is about 9% of the country's population. 2.227 million people live in the nearest suburbs (metropolitan area). This is the most populated region of Sweden - 4160 people per square. km
Ancient history
The ancient Scandinavian sagas mention the village of Agnafit, named after King Agne, this is the first mention of the area where the Swedish capital is now located. In 1187, a fortified point was built on the site of a small fishing village, now this year is considered the time of the founding of the city. And the founder was Jarl Birger, who laid down a castle to protect nearby villages from attacks from the sea. How many people lived in Stockholm of those times, reliable data were not preserved. As a city, first mentioned in 1252. Toward the end of the 13th century, the urban area began to expand rapidly, while the development was carried out according to a well-developed plan. The region held a good position in the trade of the famous Swedish iron from the Bergslagen mines.
Due to its good geographical position, the city became a center of international trade, but for a long time it was under the influence of German merchants. And from the 14th century, under the rule of the Danish king, the Swedes rebelled against foreign rule several times. The uprising led by Gustav Vasa, who soon, in 1523, became the first king, was successful. After independence, the city began to grow rapidly. In 1529, the settlements of Södermalm and Norrmalm, which became urban areas, were absorbed. By 1600, the population of Stockholm reached 10 thousand people.
Past centuries
From the beginning of the 17th century, a Russian colony appeared in Stockholm, whose inhabitants called the city of Stekolnya or Stekolny. How many Russians lived in Stockholm is unknown. After Sweden won the war with Russia, Russian merchants were allowed to build malls, houses and churches in the capital. At the same time, Sweden became one of the most powerful states in Europe. Stockholm in 1634 was officially proclaimed the capital of the country and received monopoly rights to trade with foreigners, making it the richest city in the country and Europe. The urban area grew rapidly, from 1610 to 1680, the population of Stockholm grew 6 times. In 1628, near the capital, the flagship of the Swedish fleet sank - the ship "Vass", which was raised in 1961 and made the main exhibit of the museum. It is reliably known what population of Stockholm was at that time: in 1750, 60 018 people lived in the capital.
In the 18-19th century, the city continued to develop, the Royal Opera and many other beautiful buildings, which are currently the oldest buildings, were built. At the beginning of the 19th century, in 1800, there were already 75 517 people in Stockholm. The city no longer dominated the country, as other large settlements began to develop. Stockholm occupied approximately 1/5 of modern territory with an area of 35 square meters. km and officially consisted of areas that are now the historical center.
Current state
In the 20th century, the city was actively rebuilt, the most dilapidated buildings were demolished, and the Klara district was completely rebuilt. New districts gradually appeared in the capital's district, in 1913 the settlement of Branchyurk with about 25 thousand inhabitants was annexed, the population of Stockholm grew to 419, 440 people by 1920.
The city was built up with modern buildings, the number of inhabitants grew rapidly due to natural growth, the influx of rural residents and the addition of new areas, in 1949 the settlement of Spanga was included in the composition. In 1950, there were 744, 143 residents in the capital. After the accession of Hanst in 1971 and in 1982 of Solletun, the official borders of the city did not change.
Now about 20% of the country's population lives in the metropolitan area. New districts are being built, such as Rinkeby and Tensta, where mainly migrants live and it is difficult to meet a native of Stockholm. In 2017, 939, 238 people lived in the capital.
Urban economy
Sweden is a country with a developed post-industrial economy, especially in the capital, where a significant part of the population, up to 85%, work in the service sector. Heavy industry has long been transferred to other regions of the country, the main emphasis is on the development of high technologies. For the development of information technology, a whole Chist district in the north of the city has been allocated. In this Swedish Silicon Valley, there are educational and research institutions, offices of companies engaged in digital technology. For example, IT industry giants such as IBM, Ericsson and Electrolux are located here. A significant portion of Stockholm's population is employed in high-tech global corporations.
In the capital there is a financial management center of the country, the Stockholm Stock Exchange and the head offices of the largest banks and insurance companies of the country are located here. In general, more than 45% of all registered companies have their headquarters, including one of the largest global trading companies H&M. In recent decades, the hospitality industry has expanded significantly, annually approximately 7.5 million tourists visit the city.
Standard of living
The average standard of living in the country is one of the highest in Europe, which is ensured by a sufficiently high salary, a good level of social protection, and well-developed infrastructure. Stockholm holds a leading position in many aspects that determine the quality of life, including the highest salary in the country, an optimal transport system, and good access to quality education and healthcare. Many cultural institutions are concentrated here. At the same time, the main components providing a comfortable living environment are somewhat more expensive.
The number of Stockholm residents who are forced to rent housing is constantly increasing. The rental price is quite high and depends primarily on the location. Accommodation in the central areas of the capital in a one-room apartment or studio with an area of 30-45 square meters. m will cost 12, 000 crowns (1, 210 euros), and on the outskirts - 8, 000 crowns (810 euros). Utility bills are quite low, gas, electricity, water and garbage collection will cost 75-80 euros per month.
The cost of products in the Swedish capital is slightly higher compared to Moscow, for comparison:
- bread costs about 18-23 cr. (81-104 rub.);
- eggs (12 pcs.) - 20-25 cr. (90-113 rub.);
- cheese (1 kilogram) - 70-90 cr. (300-400 rub.).
The average bill in restaurants, cafes and eateries is highly dependent on location, outside the historical center it will be lower by 20-30% and is also approximately at the Moscow level. Lunch and dinner in a cafe will cost 110-115 kroons (10-15 euros), in a restaurant 350-400 kroons (35-40 euros) per person, at McDonald's you can eat for 8-10 euros.
The city has developed public transport, a taxi ride will cost about 11 euros for a distance of 3 km, a ticket for public transport costs 39 crowns (3.94 euros). A large number of Swedes use their bikes when traveling to work.
Some other costs borne by almost every resident of the capital: payment of a kindergarten - 1407 kroons (142 euros), subscription to a fitness club - 396 kroons (40 euros), mobile communications - 297 kroons (30 euros), home Internet - 295 kroons (29.77 euros).
How much do they earn
In terms of wages, Sweden occupies a leading position in the world, at the same time, taxes are also quite large, income tax reaches 57%. As in almost any capital of the world, the population of Stockholm earns on average a little more than the whole country. If the average salary, according to the Swedish Statistical Office, in 2018 is 40, 260 kroons per month, which is approximately equivalent to 3, 890 euros, then in the capital it is approximately 44, 000 kroons per month (4, 250 euros). For comparison, in prosperous European countries:
- in the leader of the European Union of Germany - 3, 771 euros;
- in neighboring, one of the most developed countries in the world, Finland - 3, 418 euros;
- and in France - 2 957 euros.
Unlike many countries in the world, the minimum wage by the state is not established. In certain sectors of the economy, the minimum rate is determined by agreement between the employer and the relevant trade union. In 2018, it was set at about 2, 000 euros per month. The amount of wages depends on the level of education, profession, experience and age of the employee. For example, how much a Stockholm resident receives, depending on the profession:
- top managers and highly qualified specialists, including insurance and financial manager, specialized doctor, director, company manager - from 75 800 to 124 100 kroons;
- qualified specialists, including engineer, teacher, aircraft pilot, professor, agricultural specialist - from 40, 000 to 63, 100 kroons;
- specialists, including a maid, nanny, secretary, cook, teacher, photographer, nurse - from 20, 000 to 37, 400 kroons.
In the areas of activity, the most earned are specialists in the field of finance and insurance (approximately 46, 760 kroons per month), a little less pay in the field of digital technologies (44, 940) and engineers (44, 340).
Social protection of the population of the capital
The Swedish Social Service is one of the most developed in the world, financed mainly from the local budget with partial co-financing from the central government. Therefore, people in Stockholm have slightly better social security than in other regions of the country. In the capital there are 18 departments of the institution, which are subordinate to the corresponding administration of the municipality. The work is controlled by the prosecutor's office, the police and, of course, the municipality.
The main elements of social security are various types of pensions (old age, length of service, disability, breadwinner) and benefits (temporary disability, for children, low-income families, large families, various family benefits, housing, education, unemployment rate). Since social benefits are generated from incomes at the municipal level, their volume depends on how many people live in Stockholm. Sweden became one of the first countries in the world where they began to provide a comfortable standard of living for people with disabilities at the state level. Now the country is recognized as one of the most prosperous for the disabled and the elderly.
Some social benefits
The capital has a rather high unemployment rate, while there is a great demand for low-skilled labor. The unemployment benefit is approximately 2.8 thousand kroons. A person aged 15 to 74 years who has actively tried to find a job and is ready to start work within 2 weeks can get it. If an elderly person does not receive a pension or it is below the subsistence level, then he has the right to receive an allowance of about 3.6 thousand crowns.
Health care is almost completely state-owned; there is the possibility of free or partial payment for medicines and consultations for patients with chronic and serious diseases. For the remaining categories of the population of Stockholm, there is full compensation of costs worth more than 2.5 thousand crowns, free dental care for young people under 19 years of age. The country guarantees the preservation of income in the amount of 75–85% of the salary in case of illness or leave to care for a sick child. The parent of the child, mom or dad, receives 80% of the salary for 18 months.
