Reduced immigration, low birth rates and increased emigration. This means that the population development in Norrköping has slowed down and that the budget conditions of the Board of Education are changing.
On Tuesday, the municipal executive board in Norrköping received a move forward of the population development. In conclusion, demographic development has slowed down. It is increasing, but not to the same extent as previous forecasts have shown.
Budget conditions change
The population development for 2024 to 2027 means that the budget conditions of the Board of Education will change.
"You can see very clearly that we have a reduced population growth. It looks completely different from what we forecast a year ago. Different parameters change, which means that we have to adapt our operations, says Sophia Jarl (M), chairman of the municipal executive board.
For the Board of Education, this means that the municipality must review future and planned investments.
Empty seats
"We won't need as many schools and preschools. We must also review the operating economy based on the fact that we have a large number of seats that are empty today, says Sophia Jarl.
But Norrköping municipality is not alone in facing similar challenges. When the government presented its spring budget last week, Sweden's teachers, among others, called for an increase of SEK 12 billion to the school sector alone. Several municipalities around the country have also already decided to close several schools – for example, Linköping municipality.
See more in the clip above.