Since 2007, activities in health care, education and social services have increased by 55 percent at current prices. Private enterprises have increased by 116 percent during the same period.

Large regional differences in purchased activities

Municipalities and county councils purchased activities for, on average, 13 percent of the total cost at a national level. There are large regional differences: Stockholm County accounted for the highest proportion of purchased activities every year since 2007. In 2016, Stockholm County purchases accounted for 24 percent of the total gross cost. Norrbotten County accounted for the lowest proportion of purchased activities, at 5 percent.

Almost 3 000 new enterprises

In 2016, almost 3 000 new enterprises emerged in the welfare sector. This increase has been similar in health care, education and social services, with approximately 1 000 new enterprises in each respective area. The total number of enterprises in the welfare sector was approximately 64 400.

One in four persons worked in the welfare sector

There were about 1.3 million persons employed in health care, education and social services in 2016. This means that one in four gainfully employed persons worked in the welfare sector. Among these employees, 7 percent, corresponding to 339 000 people, were employed by private or public enterprises, or other organisations.