Start-ups increased only in the northernmost region
In Norrbotten, the number of new businesses increased by 12% last year compared to the year before. 1,460 new businesses were started in the county. If only limited companies are counted, the number of new companies increased by 14% when 1,182 new limited companies were started in Norrbotten. In the region, 81% of companies are limited companies, a proportion that also applies in the country as a whole.
This is a better development in Norrbotten than in the country as a whole, where the number of new businesses fell by 6% and the number of new limited companies by 4%. Norrbotten is the only region in Sweden where the number of new businesses increased in 2022.
"The development in Norrbotten can of course be seen as a consequence of the positive faith in the future that exists in the county and the massive investments that have been initiated. The recent trend of inflation is a threat that affects the demand for certain goods and services, and thus the conditions for new entrepreneurs in certain industries. However, the negative effects are milder here in the north, where the employment rate is still high, but rightly creates a certain caution", says Anna Engström, Director of Operations at Nyföretagarcentrum Nord (Start-up Centre North).
Last year, 74,140 new businesses were started in Sweden. Of these, 60,215 were limited companies. According to Visma, a financial services company, the decline in new business creation at the national level is probably due to interest rate hikes, rising inflation and high energy and fuel prices as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The statistics come from Bolagsverket (the Swedish Companies Registration Office) and are presented by Nyföretagarcentrum Nord and Visma. The statistics include limited companies, sole traders, partnerships and limited partnerships.
Nyföretagarcentrum Nord offers free, confidential and objective advice to new and prospective entrepreneurs in Norrbotten. It is part of the national Nyföretagarcentrum Sverige (Start-up Centre Sweden).
Its activities are funded by the business community, public authorities and organisations. Altogether there are some 30 national partners. In total, the activities are supported by more than 2,000 companies, organisations and authorities, all of which support the idea that Sweden needs more viable businesses.
Lennart Håkansson
