Short facts about Norrland

Norrland consists of the five northernmost counties of Sweden, i.e. Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Jämtland, Västernorrland and Gävleborg. Taken together these counties cover 58 percent of Swedens land area. 1.2 million people lives in this vast region.

Trade and industry in the five counties of Norrland represent a large part of the collected Swedish net export value (the gross export value minus the value of imported input goods). Norrland provides Sweden with a total net export value of SEK 60 billion.

Trade and industry has different specialisations in the different counties. Along the coast up to Umeå the engineering industry and the pulp and paper industry are dominant. North of Umeå the steel, iron and metal industries are most important. Jämtland has a relatively low level of industry, but is on the other hand a major exporter of raw goods (timber and hydropower) and has a tourism industry of great significance, not least for rural employment. Tourism is the sector that is predicted to have the greatest potential for development and growth because Norrland has what is also called Europe´s last wilderness. Nature based tourism is therefor of great importance and interest. Sweden´s membership in the EU and the changes in Eastern Europe will also strengthen the appeal of Norrland for tourism.