Countryside abandoned? Suburbanization and mobility in Sweden

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Abstract
Regional differences have been increasing in Sweden. Over the last five to ten years, several municipalities have lost well over 1 per cent per annum of their population through a net outmigration to metropolitan regions and university cities. Losses of inhabitants normally have a negative effect on the housing market. Prices of owner-occupied dwellings decrease and vacancies occur in the rented sector. This paper aims to analyse the differences between depopulating municipalities. In some cases a net loss in population is compatible with a net migration of elderly households and middle-aged families – even when there is a massive outmigration of young people. A regression model shows that municipalities in a coastal location, with good living conditions and a strong housing market, also have a net inmigration of middle-aged or elderly households. The analysis also shows that a net outmigration is not always in conflict with a dynamic housing market. If there is a reasonably large inmigration of middle-aged or elderly households, the housing market conditions can still be favourable.

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