Census 2021 round (cens_21)

1.1. Contact organisation

Statistics Sweden

1.2. Contact organisation unit

Department of Social Statistics and Analysis, Population section

1.3. Contact name

Confidential because of GDPR

1.4. Contact person function

Confidential because of GDPR

1.5. Contact mail address

SCB
SE - 701 89 Örebro
Sweden

1.6. Contact email address

Confidential because of GDPR

1.7. Contact phone number

Confidential because of GDPR

1.8. Contact fax number

Confidential because of GDPR

2.1. Metadata last certified

31 October 2024

2.2. Metadata last posted

31 October 2024

2.3. Metadata last update

31 October 2024

3.1. Data description

The data present the results of the 2021 EU census on population and housing, following Regulation (EC) 763/2008; Regulation (EU) 2017/543; Regulation (EU) 2017/712 and Regulation (EU) 2017/881.

3.1.1. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on census methodology

The Covid-19 pandemic had no impact on the Swedish 2021 Census. 

3.2. Classification system

The following classification systems are used:

1. Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS 2021)
2. International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED-2011)
3. International standard classification of occupations (ISCO-08)
4. Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE Rev 2)

3.3. Coverage - sector

Not applicable.

3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

The information is given separately for each census topic.

3.4.1. Statistical concepts and definitions - Usual residence

‘Usual residence’ is the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage.

The following persons alone shall be considered to be usual residents of the geographical area in question:

(i) those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference date

(ii) those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference date with the intention of staying there for at least one year

Where the circumstances described in point (i) or (ii) cannot be established, ‘usual residence’ shall mean the place of legal or registered residence.

In the Swedish 2021 Population and Housing Census 'usual residence ' means registered residence. The Swedish Tax Agency is responsible for the registration of persons living in Sweden. Persons who, according to legislation in force (Folkbokföringslagen 1991:481), are allowed to stay in the country for at least 12 months shall register. This administrative register is the base for the 2021 Swedish Census. 

One minor exception to the above definition refers to emigrants to Denmark and Norway. They are de-registered from the Swedish population register if they intend to stay in Denmark/Norway for at least six months. 

3.4.2. Statistical concepts and definitions - Sex

Sex refers to the biological sex at birth. In Sweden, children born are registered as either female or male in the population register. That is the person’s legal sex. In Sweden today, it is not possible to have any legal sex other than either male or female.

3.4.3. Statistical concepts and definitions - Age

The age reached in completed years at the reference date.

3.4.4. Statistical concepts and definitions - Marital status

Marital status is defined as the (legal) conjugal status of an individual in relation to the marriage laws (or customs) of the country (that is the de jure status).

A person is classified according to his/her most recently acquired legal marital status at the reference date.

Sweden has the following marital statuses:

• Unmarried (a person who is not married, registered partner, divorsed or widow/widower) 
• Married (opposite or same sex marriages, minimum age 18 years from 2014) 
• Divorsed (opposite or same sex)
• Registered partnership (used between 1995-2009)  
• Widow/Widower (a person who previous was in a marriage that ended with the death of partner, opposite or same sex) 
• Divorced partner (same sex) 
• Separated partner (same sex)

Marital status is regulated in the Äktenskapsbalken 1987:230

3.4.5. Statistical concepts and definitions - Family status

The family nucleus is defined in a narrow sense; that is as two or more persons who belong to the same household and who are related as husband and wife, as partners in a registered partnership, as partners in a consensual union, or as parent and child. Thus, a family comprises a couple without children or a couple with one or more children, or a lone parent with one or more children. This family concept limits relationships between children and adults to direct (first-degree) relationships, that is, between parents and children.

3.4.6. Statistical concepts and definitions - Household status

Private households are in the Swedish 2021 Population and Housing Census dentified using the ‘household- dwelling concept’.

The household-dwelling concept considers all persons living in a housing unit to be members of the same household, such that there is one household per occupied housing unit.

3.4.7. Statistical concepts and definitions - Current activity status

‘Current activity status’ is the current relationship of a person to economic activity.

The source for the topic current activity status is the labour market statistics RAMS.

Statistics Sweden's register-based labour market statistics (RAMS) is an annual total survey that is mainly based on employers' tax returns at the individual level (AGI) and self-employed persons tax returns, which is collected and validated by the Swedish Tax Agency.  

In order to derive the current activity status of some temporarily absent, for example on parental leave, information on payments is retrieved from the Social Insurance Agency.

As for the employed, the lower limit, expressed in hours worked, consists of work comprising at least one hour per week.

If a person had more than one job, the company and workplace where the person has received the highest salary is selected. If a person both declared for an active business activity and received salary, the person is linked to the workplace where the person had the highest salary.

Persons who are self-employed and had someone employed are classified as employers.

The national minimum age for economic activity is 15 years. 

The allocation of a person within the breakdowns of the topics 'Occupation', 'Industry', 'Status in employment' and 'Place of work' is based on the same job.

3.4.8. Statistical concepts and definitions - Occupation

Occupation refers to the type of work done in a job. ‘Type of work’ is described by the main tasks and duties of the work.

Persons are classified according to the occupation they had during their most recent employment. The categories included in the breakdown 'occupation' correspond to the major groups of the ISCO-08 (COM) classification.

Persons under the age of 15 years, as well as persons aged 15 or over that were:

• not economically active during the reference week, or
• unemployed, never worked before (i.e. they have never been employed in their lives)

are classified under 'not applicable'.

The allocation of a person within the breakdowns of the topics 'Occupation', 'Industry', 'Status in employment' and 'Place of work' is based on the same job.

3.4.9. Statistical concepts and definitions - Industry

Industry (branch of economic activity) refers to the kind of production or activity of the establishment or similar unit in which the job of an employed person is located.

Persons doing more than one job are allocated an industry (branch of economic activity) based on their main job, which is dentified according to the time spent on the job or (if not available) the income received.

The breakdown by industry is available for persons aged 15 or over that were:

• employed during the reference week, or
• unemployed during the reference week, but have ever been in employment

Persons are classified according to the industry they worked in during their most recent employment. The categories included in the breakdown 'industry' list the 21 sections of the NACE Rev. 2 classification and appropriate aggregates.

The allocation of a person within the breakdowns of the topics 'Occupation', 'Industry', 'Status in employment' and 'Place of work' is based on the same job.

3.4.10. Statistical concepts and definitions - Status in employment

An ‘employee’ is a person who works in a ‘paid employment’ job, that is a job where the explicit or implicit contract of employment gives the incumbent a basic remuneration, which is independent of the revenue of the unit for which he/ she works.

An ‘employer’ is a person who, working on his or her own account or with a small number of partners, holds a ‘self- employment’ job and, in this capacity, on a continuous basis (including the reference week) has engaged one or more persons to work for him/her as ‘employees’.

Persons who are self-employed and had someone employed are classified as employers.

The allocation of a person within the breakdowns of the topics 'Occupation', 'Industry', 'Status in employment' and 'Place of work' is based on the same job.

3.4.11. Statistical concepts and definitions - Place of work

The location of the place of work is the geographical area in which a currently employed person does his/her job.

The place of work of those mostly working at home is the same as their usual residence. The term ‘working’ refers to work done as an ‘employed person’ as defined under the topic ‘Current activity status’. ‘Mostly’ working at home means that the person spends all or most of the time working at home, and less, or no, time in a place of work other than at home.

Information on persons who do not have a fixed place of work but who report to a fixed address at the beginning of their work period (for example bus drivers, airline crew, operators of street market stalls that are not removed at the end of the workday) refer to that address. This group may also include individuals who travel to work, on a regular basis, across the border to a neighbouring country. Breakdown ‘No fixed place of work (inside or outside the Member State)’ includes all persons without fixed place of work but will also refer to persons such as sailors, fishermen and offshore workers for whom it may not be possible to allocate the place of work.

The allocation of a person within the breakdowns of the topics 'Occupation', 'Industry', 'Status in employment' and 'Place of work' is based on the same job.

3.4.12. Statistical concepts and definitions - Educational attainment

Educational attainment refers to the highest level successfully completed in the educational system of the country where the education was received. All education which is relevant to the completion of a level is taken into account even if this was provided outside schools and universities.

In Sweden educational attainment' is only available for persons aged 16 years or over, i.e. persons aged 15 years are classified as 'Not stated'.

In the Educational Register it is not possible to distinguish between person who has less than primary education and unknown level of education. Therefore no persons are classified as having less than primary education.

3.4.13. Statistical concepts and definitions - Size of the locality

A locality is defined as a distinct population cluster that is an area defined by population living in neighboring or contiguous buildings.

Such buildings may be either:

1. form a continuous built-up area with a clearly recognizable street formation; or
2. though not part of such a built-up area, comprise a group of buildings to which a locally recognized place name is uniquely attached; or
3. though not meeting either of the above two criteria, constitute a group of buildings, none of which is separated from its nearest neighbor by more than 200 meters.

3.4.14. Statistical concepts and definitions - Place of birth

Until 1947, all persons born abroad were counted as foreign-born. Since 1947, children born abroad are considered to be born in Sweden if the mother at the time of the child's birth is registered in Sweden. As a principle, the country of birth is registered as it was called at the time of birth. However, consideration can be given to the emotional significance it has for persons who were born in a country that became independent after their birth, and they are then registered as born in the liberated state.

For the majority of the population information on the country of birth is based on the international boundaries existing on 1 January 2021. However, in some cases it refers to a different time. 

The category 'Information not classifiable according to current borders' covers those persons whose country of birth existed at the time of the birth, but no longer exists at the time of the census, and who cannot be allocated uniquely to one country existing at the time of the census, i.e. according to current borders.
The category 'outside any country' covers persons for whom the usual residence of the mother at the time of the birth is not known and who where born outside the borders of any country, for example at sea or in the air.

3.4.15. Statistical concepts and definitions - Country of citizenship

Citizenship is defined as the particular legal bond between an individual and his/her State, acquired by birth or naturalization, whether by declaration, option, marriage or other means according to the national legislation. A person with two or more citizenships is allocated to only one country of citizenship, determined in the following order of precedence:

1. reporting country
2. if the person does not have the citizenship of the reporting country: other EU Member State
3. if the person does not have the citizenship of another EU Member State: other country outside the European Union.

'EU Member State' means a country that is a member of the European Union on 1 January 2021. 
Persons who are neither citizens of any country nor stateless and who have some but not all of the rights and duties associated with citizenship are classified under 'recognised non-citizens'.

For persons with more than one citizenship Sweden has a slightly different order of precedence.

3.4.16. Statistical concepts and definitions - Year of arrival in the country

The year of arrival is the calendar year in which a person most recently established usual residence in the country.

The data for 2021 refer to the time span between 1 January 2021 and the reference date.

3.4.17. Statistical concepts and definitions - Residence one year before

The relationship between the current place of usual residence and the place of usual residence one year prior to the census.

For all persons that have changed their usual residence more than once within the year prior to the reference date, the previous place of usual residence is the last usual residence from which they moved to their current place of usual residence.

3.4.18. Statistical concepts and definitions - Housing arrangements

The topic ‘Housing arrangements’ covers the whole population and refers to the type of housing in which a person usually resides at the time of the census. This covers all persons who are usual residents in different types of living quarters, or who do not have a usual residence and stay temporarily in some type of living quarters, or who are roofless, sleeping rough or in emergency shelters, when the census is taken.

'Other housing units' are huts, cabins, shacks, shanties, caravans, houseboats, barns, mills, caves or any other shelter used for human habitation at the time of the census, irrespective if it was designed for human habitation.
'Collective living quarters' are premises which are designed for habitation by large groups of individuals or several households and which are used as the usual residence of at least one person at the time of the census.
'Occupied conventional dwellings', 'other housing units' and 'collective living quarters' together represent ‘living quarters'. Any 'living quarter' must be the usual residence of at least one person.

The sum of occupied conventional dwellings and other housing units represents 'housing units'.
The homeless (persons who are not usual residents in any living quarter category) can be persons living in the streets without a shelter that would fall within the scope of living quarters (primary homelessness) or persons moving frequently between temporary accommodation (secondary homelessness).

3.4.19. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of family nucleus

The family nucleus is defined in a narrow sense; that is as two or more persons who belong to the same household and who are related as husband and wife, as partners in a registered partnership, as partners in a consensual union, or as parent and child. Thus a family comprises a couple without children or a couple with one or more children, or a lone parent with one or more children. This family concept limits relationships between children and adults to direct (first-degree) relationships, that is, between parents and children.

Child (son/daughter) refers to a blood, step- or adopted son or daughter (regardless of age or marital status) who has usual residence in the household of at least one of the parents, and who has no partner or own children in the same household. Foster children are not included. A son or daughter who lives with a spouse, with a registered partner, with a partner in a consensual union, or with one or more own children, is not considered to be a child. A child who alternates between two households (for instance if his or her parents are divorced) shall consider the one where he or she spends the majority of the time as his or her household. Where an equal amount of time is spent with both parents the household shall be the one where the child is found at the time on census night.
The term couple shall include married couples, couples in registered partnerships, and couples who live in a consensual union.

Registered partnerships are reported only by countries that have a legal framework regulating partnerships that:

1. lead to legal conjugal obligations between two persons;
2. are not marriages;
3. prevent persons to commit themselves into multiple partnerships with different partners.

Two persons are considered to be partners in a 'consensual union' when they

• belong to the same household, and
• have a marriage-like relationship with each other, and
• are not married to or in a registered partnership with each other.

'Skip-generation households' (households consisting of a grandparent or grandparents and one or more grandchildren, but no parent of those grandchildren) are not included in the definition of a family.

3.4.20. Statistical concepts and definitions - Size of family nucleus

The family nucleus is defined in a narrow sense; that is as two or more persons who belong to the same household and who are related as husband and wife, as partners in a registered partnership, as partners in a consensual union, or as parent and child. Thus a family comprises a couple without children or a couple with one or more children, or a lone parent with one or more children. This family concept limits relationships between children and adults to direct (first-degree) relationships, that is, between parents and children.

3.4.21. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of private household

In the Swedish 2021 Population and Housing Census private households are dentified using the ‘household- dwelling concept’.

The household-dwelling concept considers all persons living in a housing unit to be members of the same household, such that there is one household per occupied housing unit.

3.4.22. Statistical concepts and definitions - Size of private household

In the Swedsih Population and Housing Census private households are dentified using the ‘household- dwelling concept’.

The household-dwelling concept considers all persons living in a housing unit to be members of the same household, such that there is one household per occupied housing unit.

'Primary homeless persons' are persons living in the streets without a shelter that would fall within the scope of living quarters.

3.4.23. Statistical concepts and definitions - Tenure status of households

The topic ‘Tenure status of households’ refers to the arrangements under which a private household occupies all or part of a housing unit.

3.4.24. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of living quarter

A living quarter is housing which is the usual residence of one or more persons.

'Conventional dwellings' are structurally separate and independent premises at fixed locations which are designed for permanent human habitation and are, at the reference date, either used as a residence, or vacant, or reserved for seasonal or secondary use.
'Separate' means surrounded by walls and covered by a roof or ceiling so that one or more persons can isolate themselves. 'Independent' means having direct access from a street or a staircase, passage, gallery or grounds.
'Other housing units' are huts, cabins, shacks, shanties, caravans, houseboats, barns, mills, caves or any other shelter used for human habitation at the time of the census, irrespective if it was designed for human habitation.
'Collective living quarters' are premises which are designed for habitation by large groups of individuals or several households and which are used as the usual residence of at least one person at the time of the census.
'Occupied conventional dwellings', 'other housing units' and 'collective living quarters' together represent‘living quarters'. Any 'living quarter' must be the usual residence of at least one person.

3.4.25. Statistical concepts and definitions - Occupancy status

‘Occupied conventional dwellings’ are conventional dwellings which are the usual residence of one or more persons at the time of the census. ‘Unoccupied conventional dwellings’ are conventional dwellings which are not the usual residence of any person at the time of the census.

In the Swedish Census the classification of occupied/unoccupied dwellings is based on if at least one person is registered at the dwelling or not. 

3.4.26. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of ownership

‘Type of ownership’ refers to the ownership of the dwelling and not to that of the land on which the dwelling stands. It shows the tenure arrangements under which the dwelling is occupied.

'Owner-occupied dwellings' are those where at least one occupant of the dwelling owns parts or the whole of the dwelling.
'Cooperative ownership' refers to ownership within the framework of a housing cooperative.
'Rented dwellings' are those where at least one occupant pays a rent for the occupation of the dwelling, and where no occupant owns parts or the whole of the dwelling.

3.4.27. Statistical concepts and definitions - Number of occupants

The number of occupants of a housing unit is the number of people for whom the housing unit is the usual residence.

3.4.28. Statistical concepts and definitions - Useful floor space

Useful floor space is defined as the floor space measured inside the outer walls excluding non-habitable cellars and attics and, in multi-dwelling buildings, all common spaces; or the total floor space of rooms falling under the concept of 'room'.

3.4.29. Statistical concepts and definitions - Number of rooms

A ‘room’ is defined as a space in a housing unit enclosed by walls reaching from the floor to the ceiling or roof, of a size large enough to hold a bed for an adult (4 square meters at least) and at least 2 meters high over the major area of the ceiling.

This topic is not reported in the Swedish 2021 Census.

3.4.30. Statistical concepts and definitions - Density standard (floor space)

The topic ‘Density standard (floor space)’ relates the useful floor space in square meters to the number of occupants, as specified under the topic ‘Number of occupants’.

3.4.31. Statistical concepts and definitions - Density standard (number of rooms)

The topic ‘Density standard (number of rooms)’ relates the number of rooms to the number of occupants, as specified under the topic ‘Number of occupants’.

This topic is not reported in the Swedish 2021 Census.

3.4.32. Statistical concepts and definitions - Water supply system

Whether the conventional dwelling is equipped with piped water.

3.4.33. Statistical concepts and definitions - Toilet facilities

Whether the conventional dwelling is equipped with toilet facilities.

3.4.34. Statistical concepts and definitions - Bathing facilities

Whether the conventional dwelling is equipped with bathing facilities.

3.4.35. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of heating

Conventional dwelling is considered as centrally heated if heating is provided either from a community heating centre or from an installation built in the building or in the conventional dwelling, established for heating purposes, without regard to the source of energy.

3.4.36. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of building

The topic ‘Dwellings by type of building’ refers to the number of dwellings in the building in which the dwelling is placed.

3.4.37. Statistical concepts and definitions - Period of construction

The topic ‘Dwellings by period of construction’ refers to the year when the building in which the dwelling is placed was completed.

3.5. Statistical unit

The EU programme for the 2021 population and housing censuses includes data on persons, private households, family nuclei, conventional dwellings and living quarters.

3.6. Statistical population

The persons enumerated in the 2021 census are those who were usually resident in the territory of the reporting country at the census reference date.

The Swedish Census population refers to the registered population on the referenceday, 31 December 2021. 

3.7. Reference area

Data are available at different levels of geographical detail in EU countries: national, NUTS2/NUTS3 regions and local administrative units (LAU), grids.

3.8. Coverage - Time

Data refer to the situation in the reporting country at the census reference date.

3.9. Base period

Not applicable.

Counts of statistical units should be expressed in numbers and where is needed rate per inhabitants enumerated in the country.

See the following sub-concepts.

5.1. EU census reference date

31 December 2021

5.2. National census reference date

31 December 2021

5.3. Differences between reference dates of national and EU census publications

No differences.

6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements

Statistics Sweden's operations are governed by its directive, laws and ordinances, as well as the annual appropriation directions.

Statistics Sweden's directive
The directive is an ordinance that contains regulations on the framework and operations management.
Ordinance with the directive for Statistics Sweden (2016:822)

Laws and ordinances
In addition to the directive, several other laws and ordinances govern Statistics Sweden’s operations.
Official Statistics Act (2001:99)
Official Statistics Ordinance (2001:100)
General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR, (2016/679)
Ordinance concerning Government Authorities' Collection of Data from Businesses Operators and Local Authorities (1982:668)
Regulatory Impact Assessment Ordinance (2007:1244)

6.1.1. Bodies responsible

Statistics Sweden

6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing

Statistics Sweden's operations are governed by its directive, laws and ordinances, as well as the annual appropriation directions.

Statistics Sweden's directive
The directive is an ordinance that contains regulations on the framework and operations management.
Ordinance with the directive for Statistics Sweden (2016:822)

Laws and ordinances
In addition to the directive, several other laws and ordinances govern Statistics Sweden’s operations.
Official Statistics Act (2001:99)
Official Statistics Ordinance (2001:100)
General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR, (2016/679)
Ordinance concerning Government Authorities' Collection of Data from Businesses Operators and Local Authorities (1982:668)
Regulatory Impact Assessment Ordinance (2007:1244)

7.1. Confidentiality - policy

For confidentiality regarding the authority's specific task for the production of statistics, Chapter 24 Section 8 of the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (2009:400) applies.

Within the area of statistics, there are also specific rules on the handling of personal data in the Official Statistics Act (2001:99), the Official Statistics Ordinance (2001:100) and the General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR, (2016/679). Data may be used for statistical purposes if there is no doubt that the information can be disclosed without causing harm or economic damage to any individual in the data.

7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

Confidentiality - Regulation (EU) 2017/712 Art 4 and 5

Targeted record swapping and the cell key method are used as protection methods. We thus follow the recommendation by Eurostat to use both methods in combination. Targeted record swapping is applied to micro data. The method has the advantage that all tables produced from the protected data are consistent, and the method is targeted so that households most at risk for disclosure are more likely to be swapped. The cell key method is applied when tables are produced and assures consistency in that wherever a cell appears in any hypercube, it is protected in the same way. For the cell key method, we use the implementation originally developed by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The parameters used in the Swedish applications of the methods are not publicly available.

8.1. Release calendar

The schedule of census release dates.

Data are made available 27 months after the end of the reference period (March 2024)

8.2. Release calendar access

Access to the release calendar information at national level.

The Swedish Census data are only published via Eurostat. No national publishing of the results. 

8.3. Release policy - user access

In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on its website respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably.

The Swedish Census data are only published via Eurostat.

Decennial

See the following sub-concepts.

10.1. Dissemination format - News release

Press release(s) concerning the 2021 census, as part of the requirements of Regulation 2017/881, Annex point 3.4.

No national news releases.

10.2. Dissemination format - Publications

Publications concerning the 2021 census, as part of the requirements of Regulation 2017/881, Annex point 3.4.

No national publications.

10.3. Dissemination format - online database

On-line database on the 2021 census, as part of the requirements of Reg. 2017/881, Annex point 3.4.

The Swedish Census data are only published via Eurostat.

10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

Census data should be accessible as microdata, as part of the requirements of Regulation 2017/881, Annex point 3.4.

Access to Census microdata is treated in line with current practice.

10.5. Dissemination format - other

The Swedish Census data are only published via Eurostat.

10.6. Documentation on methodology

Same method as in the 2011 Census, please see attached file.

Annexes:
Description of the swedish register-based census

10.7. Quality management - documentation

Please see attached file on the description of the Total Population Register (TPR). Latest English version refers to 2016.

Annexes:
Description of the Total Population Register

11.1. Quality assurance

The Swedish Population Register is the fundamental registration of the population in Sweden. It contains information about identity, residence and family relationships. The Swedish Tax Agency is responsible for the Swedish Population Register. The purpose of the register, in accordance with the appropriation directions, is that data in the register should reflect the population's actual residence, identity, and family law conditions, to ensure that various functions in society receive correct information for decisions and measures. The collection, measurement and registration of the information are done by the Swedish Tax Agency. Most data in the population register comes from other government agencies, where reporting is included as part of the working duties of, for example, midwives, wedding officials, courts or doctors. Notification to the Swedish Tax Agency by individuals is only done in a few cases; notifying the name of a new-born child, changing names, migrating within Sweden and immigrating to, and emigrating from Sweden. There are several services to streamline data collection, for example, a web service has been introduced that enables hospitals to report births electronically, and there is an e-service to report migration.

Since the information is used widely in society, the chance of detecting errors increases. Some government agencies, such as the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish Migration Agency and the Swedish National Board of Student Aid, by regulation, are obligated to report errors in the Swedish Population Register to the Swedish Tax Agency. In addition, the birth certificate issued by the Swedish Tax Agency can be regarded as an important check on data accuracy. The individual submits a request for a birth certificate, which shows the data contained in the register. A birth certificate is required, for example, when acquiring identity cards, applying for Swedish citizenship or applying for divorce.

The data for the Total Population register (TPR) at Statistics Sweden is retrieved from the Swedish Tax Agency's Swedish Population Register. Several automatic and manual checks are made to ensure the quality of the register, both at a micro and macro level.

The general quality and reliability of the Swedish Population Register is regarded as very high, but there are some deficiencies. In recent years, the Swedish Tax Agency has prioritized the work of improving knowledge about the quality of the Swedish Population Register. Together with the Swedish Tax Agency, Statistics Sweden has developed a method to measure over-coverage, under-coverage and incorrect civil registration address. The method estimates the total error at about 202,000 people or 1.9 % of the population in 2020. Incorrect address is the most common source of uncertainty (about 109,000 people). The number of people belonging to the over-coverage is estimated to be around 75,000 and the least common source of uncertainty is under-coverage with around 18,000 people.

11.2. Quality management - assessment

See below.

11.2.1. Coverage assessment

The Swedish Census is fully register based. It relies on a statistical register of the total population, kept by Statistics Sweden, and fed by an administrative register kept by the Tax Agency, comprising all persons registered in Sweden at the reference date. The statistical register is considered as the target population. There has not been any coverage assessment of the statistical or the administrative register in connection to the census.

11.2.2. Post-enumeration survey(s)

No post-enumeration survey has been conducted.

12.1. Relevance - User Needs

Not available.

12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

Not available.

12.3. Completeness

The completness is considered to be good. 

13.1. Accuracy - overall

The statistics are based on the population registered in the Swedish Population Register. Since correct registration in the register is a condition for being able to live a normal life in Sweden, the general quality and reliability of the register is regarded as very high.

13.1.1. Overall accuracy - Usual residence

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Usual residence. 

13.1.2. Overall accuracy - Sex

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Sex.

13.1.3. Overall accuracy - Age

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Age.

13.1.4. Overall accuracy - Marital status

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Marital status.

13.1.5. Overall accuracy - Family status

Data on consensual union relations is not available in registers and are derived by using a model. This may partly affect the reliability of the topic Family status. 

Persons not possible to link to a dwelling or property cannot form a family and are classified as 'Not stated’. This refers to less than 19,000 persons. 

13.1.6. Overall accuracy - Household status

Data on consensual union relations is not available in registers and are derived by using a model. This may partly affect the reliability of the topic Household status. Persons not possible to link to a dwelling or property cannot form a household and are classified as 'Persons not living in a private household, but category not stated'. This refers to less than 19,000 persons.

Data on primary and secondary homelessness cannot be classified. Registered persons who are homeless are however included in the population count. Based on the latest study conducted by the National Board of Health and Welfare the number of homeless persons in 2023 is estimated to 27,200. Of which the primary homeless persons is estimated to 4,400. 

13.1.7. Overall accuracy - Current activity status

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Current activity status.

13.1.8. Overall accuracy - Occupation

Part of the Occupation Register is not updated every year. This may partly affect the reliability of the topic Occupation. 

Information on occupation “Armed forces occupations” is security classified, and therefore this occupational group is not reported. 

13.1.9. Overall accuracy - Industry

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Industry.

13.1.10. Overall accuracy - Status in employment

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Status in employment.

13.1.11. Overall accuracy - Place of work

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Place of work.

13.1.12. Overall accuracy - Educational attainment

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Educational attainment.

13.1.13. Overall accuracy - Size of the locality

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Size of the locality.

13.1.14. Overall accuracy - Place of birth

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Place of birth.

13.1.15. Overall accuracy - Country of citizenship

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Country of citizenship.

13.1.16. Overall accuracy - Year of arrival in the country

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Year of arrival in the country.

13.1.17. Overall accuracy - Residence one year before

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Residence one year before. 

13.1.18. Overall accuracy - Housing arrangements

Data on other housing units are not available. Data on primary and secondary homelessness cannot be classified. Registered persons who are homeless are however included in the population count. Based on the latest study conducted by the National Board of Health and Welfare the number of homeless persons in 2023 is estimated to 27,200. Of which the primary homeless persons is estimated to 4,400. 

13.1.19. Overall accuracy - Type of family nucleus

Data on consensual union relations is not available in registers and are derived by using a model. This may partly affect the reliability of the topic Type of family nucleus. Persons not possible to link to a dwelling or property cannot form a family and therefore not included in the topic. This refers to less than 19,000 persons. 

13.1.20. Overall accuracy - Size of family nucleus

Persons not possible to link to a dwelling or property cannot form a family and therefore not included in the topic. This refers to less than 19,000 persons. 

13.1.21. Overall accuracy - Type of private household

A household consists of all people who are registered in the same dwelling (household-dwelling concept). For about 2 percent of the population information on dwelling is missing. For these persons, household information is imputed using information about property and family relationships. Persons not possible to link to a dwelling or property cannot form a household and therefore not included in the topic. This refers to less than 19,000 persons. 

Data on consensual union relations is not available in registers and are derived by using a model.

The above procedures may partly affect the reliability of the topic Type of private household.

13.1.22. Overall accuracy - Size of private household

Persons not possible to link to a dwelling or property cannot form a household and therefore not included in the topic. This refers to less than 19,000 persons.

13.1.23. Overall accuracy - Tenure status of households

Data on tenure status of household is not available in registers and is derived by using a model. This may partly affect the reliability of the topic Tenure status of household. 

13.1.24. Overall accuracy - Type of living quarter

Data on other housing units are not available.

13.1.25. Overall accuracy - Occupancy status

There are particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Occupancy status since occupied/unoccupied dwellings refers to the registered residents which can differ from the actual conditions.

13.1.26. Overall accuracy - Type of ownership

Data on type of ownership is not available in registers and is derived by using a model. This may partly affect the reliability of the topic Type of ownership.

13.1.27. Overall accuracy - Number of occupants

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Number of occupants.

13.1.28. Overall accuracy - Useful floor space

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Useful floor space.

13.1.29. Overall accuracy - Number of rooms

The topic Number of rooms is not reported by Sweden. 

13.1.30. Overall accuracy - Density standard (floor space)

There are no particular reasons for data unreliability for the topic Density standard (floor space).

13.1.31. Overall accuracy - Density standard (number of rooms)

The topic Density standard (number of rooms) is not reported by Sweden. 

13.1.32. Overall accuracy - Water supply system

Data for the topic is imputed to 100 percent in category 'Piped water in conventional dwelling'. According to previous studies almost all occupied conventional dwellings in Sweden have this facility.

13.1.33. Overall accuracy - Toilet facilities

Data for the topic is imputed to 100 percent in category 'Flush toilet in conventional dwelling'. According to previous studies almost all occupied conventional dwellings in Sweden have this facility

13.1.34. Overall accuracy - Bathing facilities

Data for the topic is imputed to 100 percent in category 'Fixed bath or shower in conventional dwelling'. According to previous studies almost all occupied conventional dwellings in Sweden have these facilities.

13.1.35. Impact of the COVID pandemic on data accuracy

The Covid pandemic had no impact on the data accuracy of the Swedish 2021 Census.

13.2. Sampling error

Not applicable for register-based and traditional censuses.

No sampling error, the Swedish 2021 Census is fully register-based. 

13.3. Non-sampling error

Please see attached file in section 10.7 on the description of the Total Population Register (TPR). 

14.1. Timeliness

All hypercubes were transmitted before the deadline of 31 March 2024.

14.2. Punctuality

All hypercubes were transmitted before the deadline of 31 March 2024.

15.1. Comparability - geographical

The Swedish 2021 Census is fully register-based. This can impair the comparability of the data with Censuses conducted in a traditional or a combined way. For information on the different topics, see 3.4 Statistical concepts and definitions.

15.1.1. Geographic information - data quality

There is good coherence in the statistics for different geographical areas. The statistics is based on the same data sources.  

15.2. Comparability - over time

Not applicable.

15.3. Coherence - cross domain

The Swedish 2021 Census population is fully coherent with domains like the national official Population statistics. 

15.4. Coherence - internal

The Swedish 2021 Census statistics are fully consistent. 

In order to ensure cost effectiveness Sweden has chosen to do a fully register-based census. The register-based model has no response burden on persons or households. The production and harmonisation of the data according to the regulations and guidelines entail extra costs. 

17.1. Data revision - policy

Statistics Sweden follows an internal revision policy. All revisions made follow the guidelines and practices set in the policy. 

17.2. Data revision - practice

All revisions are made according to the revision policy. 

18.1. Source data

Administrative data.

18.1.1. List of data sources

See below.

18.1.1.1. List of data sources - Data on persons

Total population register
Register of Education
Occupational register
Employment register
Dwelling register
Register on locality

18.1.1.2. List of data sources - Data on households

Total population register
Dwelling register

18.1.1.3. List of data sources - Data on family nuclei

Total population register
Dwelling register

18.1.1.4. List of data sources - Data on living quarters

Total population register
Dwelling register

18.1.1.5. List of data sources - Data on conventional dwellings

Total population register
Dwelling register

18.1.2. Classification of data sources

Classification of the data sources as requested by Reg. 2017/881, Annex point 2.1.

18.1.2.1. Classification of data sources - Data on persons

02.Register-based censuses

18.1.2.2. Classification of data sources - Data on households

02.Register-based censuses

18.1.2.3. Classification of data sources - Data on family nuclei

02.Register-based censuses

18.1.2.4. Classification of data sources - Data on living quarters

02.Register-based censuses

18.1.2.5. Classification of data sources - Data on conventional dwellings

02.Register-based censuses

18.1.3. List of data sources per topic

Please see attached file in section 19. 

18.1.4. Adequacy of data sources

See below.

18.1.4.1. Adequacy of data sources - Individual enumeration

The characteristics of each statistical unit are recorded separately, so that each characteristic can be cross-classified with others. All units, person, dwelling etc, has a unique identification number. 

18.1.4.2. Adequacy of data sources - Simultaneity

All information refers to the same point in time (reference date).

18.1.4.3. Adequacy of data sources - Universality within the defined territory

Data are provided for all statistical units in a defined territory (for persons in particular, data are provided for all usual residents in a defined territory).

18.1.4.4. Adequacy of data sources - Availability of small-area data

Data are available for small geographical areas and for small subgroups of statistical units.

18.1.4.5. Adequacy of data sources - Defined periodicity

Ten year periodicity for the EU Population and Housing Census.

18.2. Frequency of data collection

Decennial.

18.3. Data collection

See below.

18.3.1. Data collection - Questionnaire based data

Not applicable. 

18.3.2. Data collection - Register based data

The system of statistical registers used for the Swedish 2021 Census relies on three core registers kept by Statistics Sweden: the Total Population Register, the Business Register, and the Real Property Register. The core registers are linked to various subject matter registers such as registers of employment, occupation, and education. Comprehensive identification of persons, businesses, buildings, and dwellings is an essential part of the system. Unique identification of persons and businesses has been in use in Sweden for many years for various administrative purposes. 

Almost all public services utilize the administrative register and there is an incentive for individuals to keep the information updated in order to get information, social benefits, and other types of public services. 

18.3.3. Data collection - Sample survey based data

Not applicable.

18.3.4. Data collection - Data from combined methods

Not applicable.

18.4. Data validation

The Swedish Population Register is the fundamental registration of the population in Sweden. It contains information about identity, residence and family relationships. The Swedish Tax Agency is responsible for the Swedish Population Register. The purpose of the register, in accordance with the appropriation directions, is that data in the register should reflect the population's actual residence, identity, and family law conditions, to ensure that various functions in society receive correct information for decisions and measures. The collection, measurement and registration of the information are done by the Swedish Tax Agency. Most data in the population register comes from other government agencies, where reporting is included as part of the working duties of, for example, midwives, wedding officials, courts or doctors. Notification to the Swedish Tax Agency by individuals is only done in a few cases; notifying the name of a new-born child, changing names, migrating within Sweden and immigrating to, and emigrating from Sweden. There are several services to streamline data collection, for example, a web service has been introduced that enables hospitals to report births electronically, and there is an e-service to report migration.

Since the information is used widely in society, the chance of detecting errors increases. Some government agencies, such as the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish Migration Agency and the Swedish National Board of Student Aid, by regulation, are obligated to report errors in the Swedish Population Register to the Swedish Tax Agency. In addition, the birth certificate issued by the Swedish Tax Agency can be regarded as an important check on data accuracy. The individual submits a request for a birth certificate, which shows the data contained in the register. A birth certificate is required, for example, when acquiring identity cards, applying for Swedish citizenship or applying for divorce.

The data for the Total Population register (TPR) at Statistics Sweden is retrieved from the Swedish Tax Agency's Swedish Population Register. Several automatic and manual checks are made to ensure the quality of the register, both at a micro and macro level.

18.5. Data compilation

New information is created by linking the different registers. The forming of households and families is entirely based on the information from the registers. Persons registered at the same dwelling form a dwelling household (not necessarily the same as a household in terms of a housekeeping unit). From the information in the registers, household and family variables are derived, such as size of family or household and type of family or household. This requires some information in addition to where persons are registered (i.e. legal marital status or child and parent relations), in combination with some basic rules (i.e. there has to be at least two persons to make up a family, two married couples living together count as two families, children with divorced parents can only be counted as members of one household, etc.). There can be more than one family in a household, but never more than one household in a family. A consensual union between two persons is formed if the persons are:

• registered in the same dwelling
• aged 18 years or over
• of opposite sex
• age difference less than 15 years
• no kinship

For about 2 percent of the population information on dwelling is missing. For these persons, household information is imputed using information about property and family relationships. 

18.6. Adjustment

Signs of life model is used to estimate the coverage in the Total Population Register.

Please see the attached information related to further qualitative metadata on the 2021 Population and Housing Census in Sweden.

Annexes:
Further qualitative metadata on the 2021 Population and Housing Census_SE

The data present the results of the 2021 EU census on population and housing, following Regulation (EC) 763/2008; Regulation (EU) 2017/543; Regulation (EU) 2017/712 and Regulation (EU) 2017/881.

31 October 2024

The information is given separately for each census topic.

The EU programme for the 2021 population and housing censuses includes data on persons, private households, family nuclei, conventional dwellings and living quarters.

The persons enumerated in the 2021 census are those who were usually resident in the territory of the reporting country at the census reference date.

The Swedish Census population refers to the registered population on the referenceday, 31 December 2021. 

Data are available at different levels of geographical detail in EU countries: national, NUTS2/NUTS3 regions and local administrative units (LAU), grids.

See the following sub-concepts.

The statistics are based on the population registered in the Swedish Population Register. Since correct registration in the register is a condition for being able to live a normal life in Sweden, the general quality and reliability of the register is regarded as very high.

Counts of statistical units should be expressed in numbers and where is needed rate per inhabitants enumerated in the country.

New information is created by linking the different registers. The forming of households and families is entirely based on the information from the registers. Persons registered at the same dwelling form a dwelling household (not necessarily the same as a household in terms of a housekeeping unit). From the information in the registers, household and family variables are derived, such as size of family or household and type of family or household. This requires some information in addition to where persons are registered (i.e. legal marital status or child and parent relations), in combination with some basic rules (i.e. there has to be at least two persons to make up a family, two married couples living together count as two families, children with divorced parents can only be counted as members of one household, etc.). There can be more than one family in a household, but never more than one household in a family. A consensual union between two persons is formed if the persons are:

• registered in the same dwelling
• aged 18 years or over
• of opposite sex
• age difference less than 15 years
• no kinship

For about 2 percent of the population information on dwelling is missing. For these persons, household information is imputed using information about property and family relationships. 

Administrative data.

Decennial

All hypercubes were transmitted before the deadline of 31 March 2024.

The Swedish 2021 Census is fully register-based. This can impair the comparability of the data with Censuses conducted in a traditional or a combined way. For information on the different topics, see 3.4 Statistical concepts and definitions.

Not applicable.