Urban area over the long-term in Sweden
Sweden: Urban area over the long-term was 2,988 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
2,988 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.2%
World rank
42nd
of 202 countries
All-time high
2,988 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0132 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Sweden, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
Sweden recorded 2,988 km² per grid cell for urban area over the long-term in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.2% on the previous year and up 12.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Sweden peaked at 2,988 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0132 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Sweden ranks 42nd of 202 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Sweden, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0132 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0467 km² per grid cell | +252.5% |
| 1200 | 0.161 km² per grid cell | +244.7% |
| 1300 | 0.9838 km² per grid cell | +511.1% |
| 1400 | 1.16 km² per grid cell | +18.3% |
| 1500 | 4.09 km² per grid cell | +251.3% |
| 1600 | 9.56 km² per grid cell | +134.0% |
| 1700 | 42.47 km² per grid cell | +344.1% |
| 1710 | 68.34 km² per grid cell | +60.9% |
| 1720 | 91.4 km² per grid cell | +33.7% |
| 1730 | 122.38 km² per grid cell | +33.9% |
| 1740 | 147.46 km² per grid cell | +20.5% |
| 1750 | 165.95 km² per grid cell | +12.5% |
| 1760 | 190.37 km² per grid cell | +14.7% |
| 1770 | 210.52 km² per grid cell | +10.6% |
| 1780 | 223 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1790 | 235.57 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1800 | 255.74 km² per grid cell | +8.6% |
| 1810 | 262.46 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1820 | 284.34 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1830 | 321.35 km² per grid cell | +13.0% |
| 1840 | 354.57 km² per grid cell | +10.3% |
| 1850 | 401.88 km² per grid cell | +13.3% |
| 1860 | 457.13 km² per grid cell | +13.7% |
| 1870 | 516.88 km² per grid cell | +13.1% |
| 1880 | 594.58 km² per grid cell | +15.0% |
| 1890 | 653.97 km² per grid cell | +10.0% |
| 1900 | 736.52 km² per grid cell | +12.6% |
| 1910 | 832.77 km² per grid cell | +13.1% |
| 1920 | 920.81 km² per grid cell | +10.6% |
| 1930 | 1,028 km² per grid cell | +11.6% |
| 1940 | 1,122 km² per grid cell | +9.1% |
| 1950 | 1,302 km² per grid cell | +16.1% |
| 1951 | 1,332 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1952 | 1,358 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1953 | 1,383 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1954 | 1,407 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1955 | 1,431 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1956 | 1,455 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1957 | 1,480 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1958 | 1,504 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1959 | 1,529 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1960 | 1,554 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1961 | 1,583 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1962 | 1,617 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1963 | 1,651 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1964 | 1,686 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1965 | 1,721 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1966 | 1,757 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1967 | 1,794 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1968 | 1,830 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1969 | 1,865 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1970 | 1,897 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1971 | 1,923 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1972 | 1,942 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1973 | 1,959 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1974 | 1,975 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1975 | 1,990 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1976 | 2,001 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1977 | 2,013 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1978 | 2,024 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1979 | 2,035 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1980 | 2,044 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1981 | 2,050 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1982 | 2,054 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1983 | 2,059 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1984 | 2,064 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 2,072 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1986 | 2,082 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1987 | 2,095 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1988 | 2,109 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1989 | 2,125 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1990 | 2,142 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1991 | 2,163 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1992 | 2,187 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1993 | 2,210 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 2,231 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 2,249 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 2,260 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 2,266 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 2,270 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1999 | 2,275 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 2,283 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 2,297 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 2,312 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 2,327 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 2,342 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 2,357 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 2,381 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2007 | 2,406 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2008 | 2,430 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 2,455 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2010 | 2,480 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 2,513 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 2,546 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2013 | 2,579 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 2,612 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 2,646 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 2,680 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 2,714 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 2,749 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 2,783 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 2,818 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 2,852 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 2,885 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 2,919 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 2,953 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2025 | 2,988 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 2,988 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 3.0× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 2,988 km² per grid cell is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 2.2× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Sweden changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1300 | +511.1% | 0.161 km² per grid cell | 0.9838 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +344.1% | 9.56 km² per grid cell | 42.47 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +252.5% | 0.0132 km² per grid cell | 0.0467 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +251.3% | 1.16 km² per grid cell | 4.09 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +244.7% | 0.0467 km² per grid cell | 0.161 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +134.0% | 4.09 km² per grid cell | 9.56 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0132 km² per grid cell | 0.0132 km² per grid cell | 0.0132 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0467 km² per grid cell | 0.0467 km² per grid cell | 0.0467 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.161 km² per grid cell | 0.161 km² per grid cell | 0.161 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.9838 km² per grid cell | 0.9838 km² per grid cell | 0.9838 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 1.16 km² per grid cell | 1.16 km² per grid cell | 1.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 4.09 km² per grid cell | 4.09 km² per grid cell | 4.09 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 9.56 km² per grid cell | 9.56 km² per grid cell | 9.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 42.47 km² per grid cell | 42.47 km² per grid cell | 42.47 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 68.34 km² per grid cell | 68.34 km² per grid cell | 68.34 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 91.4 km² per grid cell | 91.4 km² per grid cell | 91.4 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 122.38 km² per grid cell | 122.38 km² per grid cell | 122.38 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 147.46 km² per grid cell | 147.46 km² per grid cell | 147.46 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 165.95 km² per grid cell | 165.95 km² per grid cell | 165.95 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 190.37 km² per grid cell | 190.37 km² per grid cell | 190.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 210.52 km² per grid cell | 210.52 km² per grid cell | 210.52 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 223 km² per grid cell | 223 km² per grid cell | 223 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 235.57 km² per grid cell | 235.57 km² per grid cell | 235.57 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 255.74 km² per grid cell | 255.74 km² per grid cell | 255.74 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 262.46 km² per grid cell | 262.46 km² per grid cell | 262.46 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 284.34 km² per grid cell | 284.34 km² per grid cell | 284.34 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 321.35 km² per grid cell | 321.35 km² per grid cell | 321.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 354.57 km² per grid cell | 354.57 km² per grid cell | 354.57 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 401.88 km² per grid cell | 401.88 km² per grid cell | 401.88 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 457.13 km² per grid cell | 457.13 km² per grid cell | 457.13 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 516.88 km² per grid cell | 516.88 km² per grid cell | 516.88 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 594.58 km² per grid cell | 594.58 km² per grid cell | 594.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 653.97 km² per grid cell | 653.97 km² per grid cell | 653.97 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 736.52 km² per grid cell | 736.52 km² per grid cell | 736.52 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 832.77 km² per grid cell | 832.77 km² per grid cell | 832.77 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 920.81 km² per grid cell | 920.81 km² per grid cell | 920.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 1,028 km² per grid cell | 1,028 km² per grid cell | 1,028 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 1,122 km² per grid cell | 1,122 km² per grid cell | 1,122 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 1,418 km² per grid cell | 1,302 km² per grid cell | 1,529 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 1,706 km² per grid cell | 1,554 km² per grid cell | 1,865 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 1,976 km² per grid cell | 1,897 km² per grid cell | 2,035 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 2,075 km² per grid cell | 2,044 km² per grid cell | 2,125 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,225 km² per grid cell | 2,142 km² per grid cell | 2,275 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,359 km² per grid cell | 2,283 km² per grid cell | 2,455 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,630 km² per grid cell | 2,480 km² per grid cell | 2,783 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,902 km² per grid cell | 2,818 km² per grid cell | 2,988 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
- 39 Kazakhstan 3,421 km² per grid cell compare
- 40 Yemen 3,250 km² per grid cell compare
- 41 Tanzania 3,054 km² per grid cell compare
- 43 Puerto Rico 2,845 km² per grid cell compare
- 44 South Korea 2,837 km² per grid cell compare
- 45 Colombia 2,817 km² per grid cell compare
More reference data data for Sweden
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.4328 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.2237 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2063 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.9766 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 8.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.12 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Sweden?
- Urban area over the long-term in Sweden was 2,988 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 2,988 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0132 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Sweden rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Sweden ranks 42nd out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sweden data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.