Labor market
The unemployment rate was 8.5% in December 2020. In comparison to the EU, Sweden pays the highest taxes. Depending on the region, between 29% and 35% are due. Keep this in mind when negotiating wages or salaries with a new employer. Sweden offers mainly craft-oriented emigrants opportunities. Jobs can be found at the Swedish employment offices. Lists with the various professional groups are posted there.
According to countryvv, the following professions are also being sought: doctors and nurses, plumbers, bricklayers and concrete workers. In any case, it is essential to learn the national language Swedish.
Cost of living
The cost of living is comparable to that in Germany. Rents in the capital Stockholm are usually significantly higher than in small towns or in rural areas.
You would need around € 4,445.11 in Stockholm to maintain the standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Stockholm are 19.17% higher than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices in Stockholm are 20.14% higher than in Berlin (including rent)
- Rental prices in Stockholm are 22.23% higher than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Stockholm are 36.83% higher than in Berlin
- Food prices in Stockholm are 27.60% higher than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Stockholm is 6.42% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Stockholm (07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 11.83 | 9.86-19.72 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 78.89 | 49.31-147.92 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 6.90 | 4.93-7.89 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 6.41 | 4.93-8.38 |
| cappuccino | 3.96 | 2.47-4.93 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 2.24 | 1.48-2.96 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 1.99 | 1.48-2.96 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 1.11 | 0.89-1.58 |
| White bread (500g) | 2.31 | 1.48-3.94 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 2.71 | 1.48-3.94 |
| Eggs (12) | 3.12 | 1.77-4.14 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 8.39 | 6.90-14.79 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 9.95 | 3.94-14.10 |
| Beef (1kg) | 17.01 | 7.89-24.65 |
| Apples (1kg) | 2.95 | 1.48-3.94 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 2.33 | 1.58-2.96 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.51 | 1.48-3.16 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 3.36 | 1.97-4.24 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 1.12 | 0.89-1.48 |
| Onions (1kg) | 1.33 | 0.89-2.37 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.85 | 0.99-2.96 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 1.50 | 0.99 – 2.47 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 9.76 | 7.40-14.79 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 1.67 | 1.28-2.96 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 1.78 | 1.28-2.47 |
In comparison, Sweden is in the lower range in Europe. Life in Stockholm is cheaper than in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, London, Tokyo or Beijing. Studies by international bodies such as the United Nations, Economic Forum, and OECD show that Swedes are financially and socially better off than almost all the peoples of the world.
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Stockholm (07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 3.75 | 3.65-3.94 |
| Monthly pass | 93.68 | 88.75-96.64 |
| Taxi base amount | 4.44 | 4.44-4.93 |
| Taxi 1 km | 1.33 | 1.26-3.20 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 81.72 | 44.37-197.22 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.15 | 0.10-0.20 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 27.68 | 19.72-39.44 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 92.67 | 49.31-118.33 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 39.95 | 24.65-69.03 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 93.86 | 49.31-128.19 |
| Leather business shoes | 129.55 | 69.03-197.22 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 46.97 | 29.58-69.03 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 31.52 | 19.72-39.44 |
| a movie ticket | 14.30 | 11.83-19.72 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 125.99 | 98.61-147.92 |
| International primary school per year and child | 8,850.34 | 5,719.44 – 11,833.33 |
Average Rental Rates / Purchase and Salaries of Stockholm (07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 1,324.83 | 887.50-1,775.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 939.74 | 640.97-1,380.55 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 2,171.34 | 1,479.17-3,155.55 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,349.74 | 887.50-1,972.22 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 9,938.42 | 8,875.00 – 10,847.22 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 5,758.64 | 4,437.50-7,395.83 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 2,916.81 | – |
Emigration and Living in Sweden
If you can speak Swedish, you have good chances in some professions. Without language skills (at least the basics of the language), emigration to Sweden is not recommended. If you find a good job, you can benefit from the very high standard of living in Sweden. Some advantages of the country: high immigrant satisfaction, peaceful, relatively safe from natural disasters, lots of forest, low population density, easy immigration.
