A vibrant archipelago where more and more people are choosing to settle in, that is Norrtälje municipality's stated goal. But the figures speak another language, in recent years the proportion of residents has steadily declined.

- I think it is because of higher demands today, it is difficult to live on those islands, says Anders Olander (C) municipal council in Norrtälje.

Large islands attract more

To facilitate the residents of the archipelago, the municipality wants to increase service on the mainland.

- If you live on an island then you have to have a bracket on the land side. Together with the County Administrative Board, we are investing in developing such replication points, says Olander.

Number of people recorded on islands without bridge connection in Norrtälje archipelago
O area 2012 2018
Själbottna 8 5
Norröra 10 9
Svartlöga 2 7
Fejan 10 6
Great Enskär 11 7
Blidö 587 569
Yxlan 355 354
Arholma / Idö 64 58
Tjockö 59 43
Högmarsö 30 30
Gräskö 26 21
Söderöra 20 18
Löparö 8 14
Stomnarö 13 13

Source: Norrtälje municipality

In other Stockholm counties, the trend is different. Despite almost half of the islands losing population, islands such as Ljusterö and Rindö, wherever there is a ferry, are contributing to the population of the Stockholm archipelago increasing by more than 500 people between 2010 and 2018.