Resele goes against the current - 13 families have moved in

The trend has been clear for a long, long time. Rural municipalities have gradually been de-populated when citizens instead choose to move into, above all, the big cities.

Urbanization has hit hard on the northern municipalities, not least.

A total of five municipalities in the county declined in population last year (see fact box). Sollefteå municipality decreased the most by 225 people, according to Statistics Sweden.

But in Resele, a parish in the municipality with about 500 inhabitants, the trend has been the opposite in 2019. According to Reselebygden's village team, in 2019 13 new families moved to the village, about 35 new Reselebor in other words.

"It's been an incredible move and it's so terribly fun," says Erica Karleby.

It is important that there is a basic community service in the village and it makes it even more attractive to move to, she says.

- We have our business, we have the service, parcel service, school and preschool. In order to live and work in a village, it is important to have community service, she says.

What tips do you have for other villages?

- Help each other, set up and work voluntarily. If everyone does a little, you get great results. But then also that one participates if things happen, for example if a summer party is organized.

During Wednesday evening, the village team invites the newly-residents to a welcome dinner.

- We do this to welcome them, tell us about our business and as a nice gesture that we welcome them, says board member Erica Karleby.