DEMOGRAPHY
The Basics
Sweden is the 89th most populous country in the world, with a little over 10 million residents. Its population is growing at a rate of almost 1 percent per year. Sweden's population density is 24.2 people per square kilometer, although this number is heavily skewed. This is because Sweden's southeastern coastal region is very highly densely populated, while the northern two thirds of the country are extremely sparsely populated.
Life Expectancy
Life expectancy in Sweden is already one of the highest life expectancies in the world. This is only going to increase, as large increases in life expectancy for Swedes are forecasted. Currently, the life expectancy for Swedish women in 83, and the life expectancy for men is about 75. This number is expected to grow to 87 for women and 85 for men. This means that the average life expectancy for women is forecasted to grow four years, while the average life expectancy for men is expected to increase by 10 years.
Age Demographics
Sweden has an aging population. Currently, 18% of Sweden’s population is over the age of 65. This number is expected to grow to 25% in 2060. The percentage of Swedes that are young is expected to decrease because of the growth of the aging population, but the number of younger Swedes is expected to continue to grow steadily.
Population Forecasts
Population is expected to continue to grow but at a decreasing rate. It is important to note that this growth is solely due to immigration. Without the inflow of immigrants, the county’s population would be decreasing.
Implications for REI
Demographic trends are an important consideration in REI's decision to expand to Sweden. The fact that Sweden has an aging population could be a cause for concern for other companies. However, this could be a good thing for REI, as retired people have more time for leisure activities, like skiing, hiking, and water sports. Additionally, although Sweden's native-born population is slightly decreasing, the overall population is increasing because of immigration. This is also good for REI because REI would not want to expand to a country that has a decreasing population.