Sweden's northern inland communes are combating population decline by providing direct relocation assistance to new residents. Kim Salomonsson and Martin Kantola, a couple who studied in UmeÄ, now call Lycksele home due to such a program. Their personal choice underscores a wider regional effort to reverse longstanding demographic trends.
A Personal Journey North
Kim Salomonsson originally came from Sveg and Martin Kantola from TrollhĂ€ttan. They completed their studies together at UmeĂ„ University. As their education concluded, a friend spoke highly of Lycksele, planting the seed for a move. Martin relocated first, with his girlfriend Kim following shortly after. The couple cited proximity to nature, secure employment, and established friendships as key reasons for their decision. âVĂ€sterbotten appeals to us,â Kim stated, adding definitively, âWe are not going to leave VĂ€sterbotten.â Their story is a direct result of targeted support designed to attract new inhabitants to Sweden's sparsely populated north.
The Systemic Challenge and a Coordinated Response
The northern Swedish interior faces persistent population decline, with younger generations often moving to larger coastal cities for education and work. This trend threatens the long-term viability of local services and economies in ten specific communes. In response, a collaborative project named 'Move up North' was launched. It is driven by ten inland municipalities within the framework of Region 10. The projectâs sole focus is on providing what it terms âthe best possible relocation serviceâ for individuals and families choosing to move in. Sorsele Municipality acts as the project owner, with participating communes including Arjeplog, Arvidsjaur, Dorotea, Lycksele, MalĂ„, Norsjö, Sorsele, Storumans, Vilhelmina, and Ă sele.
How the 'Lottery' Works
Project coordinators act as dedicated relocation guides, or 'lots', for new arrivals. Their support is practical and comprehensive. It can include assistance in finding housing, navigating local bureaucracy, connecting with potential employers, and integrating into community networks. This hands-on approach aims to reduce the friction and uncertainty that often accompanies a move to a new region. The service is free for the individuals who use it, funded through a mix of the European Social Fund (ESF), Region VĂ€sterbotten, Region Norrbotten, and the participating communes themselves. To date, this initiative has directly assisted 157 individuals in relocating to one of the ten partner municipalities.
Measuring Success Beyond Numbers
Marica Lagerström, the coordinating project manager, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes so far. âWe are very pleased with those who have moved in thus far,â Lagerström said. She emphasized the value of each new resident, stating, âEvery individual who has moved here makes a difference and is so welcome.â The project deliberately avoids creating internal competition between the communes. Lagerström declined to specify which municipalities have received the most new residents. âWe see ourselves as a region that works together on immigration, so we prefer not to compare the numbers regarding where the most people are moving,â she explained. She acknowledged that some communes naturally see slightly higher or lower numbers but stressed the collective regional effort.
The Broader Demographic Landscape
This project operates within a complex national demographic context. Sweden's total population continues to grow, primarily through international migration and concentration in urban areas. Meanwhile, many rural and inland regions experience net outmigration. National government policies on regional development, municipal financing, and infrastructure investment indirectly shape these local realities. Programs like Move up North represent a hyper-local, service-oriented response to these macro trends. They address the final mile of relocation, where national policy meets individual decision-making.
Sustainability and Future Prospects
The long-term success of such initiatives depends on more than just the initial move. Retention is the ultimate metric. Newcomers like Kim and Martin need to build sustainable lives, which requires stable employment, social connections, and a high quality of life. The projectâs model of providing intensive post-move support is designed to foster this retention. By helping individuals establish roots quickly, the program aims to ensure that moves are permanent, not temporary. The positive experiences of early participants become a powerful testimonial for attracting future residents, creating a potential virtuous cycle.
A Model for Other Regions?
The collaborative structure of Move up North, where multiple communes pool resources and present a united front, could serve as a model for other declining regions in Sweden and beyond. It demonstrates a shift from passive hope for population growth to active recruitment and support. The focus on service acknowledges that modern relocation is a major life decision that requires facilitation. While the absolute numbersâ157 individualsâmay seem modest on a national scale, their impact on small northern communes is significant. Each new family can support a local school, sustain a grocery store, or fill crucial skilled positions.
The Human Element of Policy
Ultimately, regional development policy is about people. The story of Kim and Martin illustrates how effective support can channel personal aspirations into community strength. Their decision to stay in VĂ€sterbotten, supported by a structured program, counters the narrative of inevitable northern decline. It highlights that population flows are not immutable forces of nature but the sum of individual choices. Those choices can be influenced by creating a welcoming and supported pathway. As Marica Lagerström noted, every individual makes a difference. In the vast landscapes of northern Sweden, that difference is profoundly felt, turning statistics like â157 individualsâ into stories of homes found, communities sustained, and a region fighting for its future.