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Unlet dwellings in multi-dwelling buildings, 2021

12 692 vacant dwellings in September

Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2021-12-16 9.30

Approximately 30 709 rental dwellings were unlet as of 1 September 2021. There were 12 692 dwellings available for immediate rent. This is 0.8 percent of all rental dwellings in Sweden.

In 2021, 15 114 dwellings were under repair or conversion and this was the most common reason why a dwelling was unlet.

Unlet dwellings 2008–2021
Type of vacancySeptember
 20082009201120132015201720192021
Vacant for renting 18 590 24 951 16 128 13 648 6 794 6 406 8 899 12 692
Under repair or conversion 5 583 6 257 8 573 10 078 11 664 9 969 14 397 15 114
Imminent demolition 340 647 903 768 248 596 825 595
Unlet for other reason 1 899 2 082 1 803 1 708 2 567 1 914 2 037 2 308
Unlet in total 26 412 33 937 27 407 26 202 21 273 18 885 26 158 30 709

The number of vacant dwellings has decreased since the end of the 1990s. The highest number of vacant dwellings was noted in 1998, when about 62 000 dwellings were vacant. In subsequent years, the number of unlet dwellings and vacant dwellings for rent fell sharply. In 2017, the number of unlet and vacant dwellings were at the lowest level since 1990. In 2019, the number of unlet and vacant dwellings for rent increased.

In 2021, both the number of unlet dwellings and the number of vacant dwellings increased compared with 2019. There are 4 551 more unlet dwellings and 3 793 more vacant dwellings available for rent. However, the number of vacant dwellings in 2021 is still at a low level over time.

The distribution of the number of vacant dwellings varies between regions. Among dwellings available for rent, 73 percent are located in municipalities with fewer than 75 000 inhabitants. The corresponding figure in metropolitan areas (Greater Stockholm, Greater Göteborg and Greater Malmö) is 9 percent and in municipalities with more than 75 000 inhabitants the figure is 18 percent.

Number of unlet dwellings 1981–2021

Number of unlet dwellings 1981–2021

Definitions and explanations

These statistics are based on a total survey of dwellings in municipal housing companies and a sample of assessed units owned by private bodies.

Multi-dwelling buildings refers to buildings with three or more apartments, including balcony access housing.

Municipal housing companies refers to joint-stock companies, economic associations or foundations whose activities focus on the management of properties with apartments with tenancy rights and previously approved as a municipal housing company.

Statistical Database

More information is available in the Statistical Database

Feel free to use the facts from this statistical news but remember to state Source: Statistics Sweden.

Statistical agency and producer

Statistics Sweden

Enquiries

Malin Sundberg

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+46 10 479 41 62
E-mail
byggande.bebyggelse@scb.se

Åsa Törlén

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+46 10 479 41 47
E-mail
byggande.bebyggelse@scb.se