Total activities in the welfare sector increased with SEK 55 billion, in current prices compared to previous year, which is equivalent to an increase of 5 percent.

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 20 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 74 percent. The degree differs between activities. Private enterprises within health care was financed by public funds to a degree of 60 percent. Within education the comparable figure was 73 percent and within social services the level was 95 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 2021. There are major regional differences; Stockholm County accounted for the highest proportion of purchased activities, 23 percent of the total gross cost. 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 2021, there were around 70 000 enterprises active in the welfare sector, which is a small increase compared to 2020. The increase occurred both in education and in health care. In social services, the number of enterprises decreased. The largest number of enterprises in the welfare sector were in health care sector, 33 000 enterprises. Almost 31 000 enterprises were in education and within social service there were just over 6 000 enterprises.

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

In 2021 the number of gainfully employed in welfare sector was around 1 364 000, an increase of 10 000 compared to the previous year. The number of gainfully employed people in health care increased the most.

Among gainfully employed persons in the welfare sector, just over 50 percent were employed in the municipalities, 21 percent were employed by private enterprises and 19 percent were employed in the regions. The proportion of gainfully employed women in the welfare sector was 77 percent. The largest proportion of women was in the health care, where 79 percent were women. In education, the proportion of women was 74 percent.

This data is reported in current prices.