The highest proportion of activities carried out by private enterprises was within social services where the proportion of activities carried out by private enterprises amounted to 21 percent. In health care 19 percent were carried out by private enterprises and in education 14 percent.

The privately run enterprises were financed by the public sector to a degree of 75 percent. The degree differs between activities. Private enterprises within social services was financed by public funds to a degree of 95 percent. Within education the comparable figure was 73 percent and within health care the level was 59 percent.

Major regional differences in purchases of activities

On average at the national level, municipalities and regions purchased activities from private enterprises and foundations for 13 percent of the total gross cost in 2020. There are major regional differences; Stockholm County has accounted for the highest proportion of purchased activities every year since 2007. In 2020, Stockholm County purchases accounted for 23 percent of the total gross cost. Kalmar County and Norrbotten County accounted for the lowest proportion of purchased activities, at just 5 percent.

Number of enterprises continued to increase

The total number of enterprises in the welfare sector continued to increase. In 2020, there were around 69 000 enterprises active in the welfare sector, which is almost 1 000 enterprises more than in 2019. This increase occurred both in education and in health care. In social services, the number of enterprises decreased.

Number of gainfully employed persons in healthcare, education and social services has decreased

In 2020 the number of gainfully employed in welfare sector was around 1 354 000, a decrease of 13 000 compared to the previous year. The number of gainfully employed decreased in both social services and education, while the number of gainfully employed in health care increased.

Among gainfully employed persons in the welfare sector, just over 50 percent were employed in the municipalities, 20 percent were employed by private enterprises and 18 percent were employed in the regions. The proportion of gainfully employed women in regions and municipalities was 80 percent, while this proportion was lower in private enterprises, at around 73 percent.

This data is reported in current prices.