Swedish talents prefer to work and live in Gothenburg

For the second year in a row, the Talent City Index Sweden report shows that younger Swedish talents prefer to live and work in Gothenburg. The ranking is based on interviews with 3,500 students and skilled professionals between the ages 20 and 45, the group that is most likely to move. Most work in occupations with a shortage.  

Behind the report is Future Place Leadership, a Stockholm-based consulting company specializing in helping places – cities, countries, regions and innovation environments – become more attractive to talents, companies and investors. 

Via the research company Cint, a survey has been conducted among people aged 20-45 who have started or completed an education in a variety of shortage professions such as finance, data and IT specialists, health care, engineers, process operators, cooks and teachers. 

Gothenburg is Sweden's most attractive city among today and tomorrow's qualified workforce, the report states, ahead of Stockholm, followed by Malmö and Gotland. A total of 75 Swedish cities are ranked. 

"This year's results show that last year's outcome was not a coincidence. Young, well-educated Swedes really want to work and live in Gothenburg. They understand that we have a strong economy and a dynamic business community that offers really good career opportunities – without having to compromise on quality of life in any way," says Patrik Andersson, CEO of Business Region Gothenburg.

An engine for Sweden's economic growth 

Gothenburg has grown strongly over the past ten years, with growth five times higher than the EMU countries and almost 50 per cent higher than the rest of Sweden. The business community in Gothenburg accounts for a third of the country's private R&D expenditure. Calculated per employee, this means that twice as much money is invested here in creating the jobs of the future. 

Therefore, it is not surprising that unemployment has been lower than in other major cities and the country as a whole for a long time, and that this trend continues, he reasons.  

"But we need more competent people. Many of the companies in Gothenburg are looking for qualified employees. For example, we have a completely new battery industry that is emerging extremely quickly and needs special expertise. You can get training here," says Patrik Andersson. 

The report highlights in particular that Gothenburg ranks higher than Stockholm in the categories of family friendliness, quality of life and sustainability. 

"The city has used these conditions in the best possible way in a well-coordinated team effort that has created results and strong visibility for the Gothenburg brand," says Marcus Andersson, CEO and founder, Future Place Leadership. 

The entire Talent City Index Sweden 2024 will be presented on June 27 at: Talent City Index Sweden

Read about last year's results: Gothenburg more attractive than Stockholm among younger qualified labour