Population and Demographics of Sweden
An aging population · 20.75% aged 65 or older in 2024
The current population picture in Sweden starts with 10.61 million people and +0.53% annual change, and the 65-plus group accounts for 20.75% of residents. Over the 24 years from 2000 to 2024, Sweden moved +19.6% in population size. Under the UN medium scenario, the 2050 total is 11.31 million, a 6.6% increase from 2024.
Population Over Time in Sweden
Sweden's population stood at 8.872M in 2000 and 10.607M in 2024, equivalent to a +19.6% change over that period. Looking ahead, the medium projection points to 11.310M in 2050, 6.6% higher than the 2024 level. The chart connects dated reference points only and should not be read as an annual interpolated series.
Age Structure and Sex Balance
The balance between children, working-age adults and older residents gives Sweden a older age profile. The youngest and oldest broad age groups are relatively close at 16.99% and 20.75%, while 62.26% are 15 to 64. The youngest and oldest broad age groups are relatively close in size.
Population by broad age group
The 2024 World Bank sex-share indicator gives Sweden a female share of 49.6% and a male share of 50.4%. Males exceed females by 0.8 percentage points.
Female and male population share
Males made up 50.4% of the population in the World Bank's 2024 series, compared with 49.6% females.
What Is Shaping Population Change
Two current indicators frame Sweden: +0.53% annual population change and fertility at 1.4, against an age structure of 16.99% under 15, 62.26% aged 15 to 64 and 20.75% at 65-plus.
Sweden's population path over 2000 to 2024 records +19.6% change, followed by a medium projection that is +6.6% different in 2050; this describes the trajectory without guessing at migration or natural increase.
2024 estimate for Sweden. The world comparison value is 2.25 children per woman.
Sweden vs. World
A same-year comparison shows Sweden at +0.53% annual growth, 1.4 children per woman and a median age of 40, against world values of +0.87%, 2.25 and 30.6.
| Indicator | Sweden | World | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual population change | +0.53% | +0.87% | 2024 |
| Total fertility rate | 1.4 | 2.25 | 2024 |
| Median age | 40 | 30.6 | 2024 |
These are same-year, same-table comparisons. The underlying country table identifies UN World Population Prospects 2024 as its demographic framework.
Key Takeaways
At 10.607M, the 2024 population is paired with an annual change rate of +0.53%.
The 2024 age structure is 16.99% under 15, 62.26% aged 15 to 64 and 20.75% aged 65 or older.
Females make up 49.6% of the 2024 population in the World Bank indicator, with males at 50.4%.
By 2050, the medium projection is 11.310M, differing from 2024 by roughly 0.70 million people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sweden?
The 2024 harmonized population estimate for Sweden is 10,606,999 people.
Is the population of Sweden growing or declining?
In the 2024 estimate, Sweden's population is growing, with annual change of +0.53%.
What percentage of the population of Sweden is aged 65 or older?
People aged 65 or older account for 20.75% of Sweden's 2024 population in the UN WPP-based broad age data.
What is the projected population of Sweden in 2050?
The UN World Population Prospects 2024 medium projection puts Sweden's 2050 population at 11,309,630.
What is the fertility rate in Sweden?
The 2024 harmonized fertility estimate for Sweden is 1.4 children per woman.
Sources & methodology
This profile uses United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 as the primary framework for globally comparable population, age, fertility and projection data. The World Bank is the primary source for the female population share. Some country values were accessed through secondary retrieval interfaces that republish or organize UN data; those interfaces are identified below as secondary and are not treated as the original statistical publishers.
View sources used for this page
Primary global framework for the population estimates and projections.
Harmonized 2024 country table based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized broad age shares based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized reference for the 2000 population point.
Harmonized 2050 country projection based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Used for the 2024 female share; the male share is calculated as the remainder to 100%.