Overcrowding
What does it mean?
Overcrowding in Sweden is defined according to norm 3 as more than two people per bedroom, couples sharing a bedroom with children, or lacking a living room separate from the kitchen. According to Statistics Sweden (SCB), an estimated 15–20% of children in Sweden live in overcrowded conditions, with significant differences between groups. Children with foreign backgrounds, in single-parent households, and in metropolitan suburbs are heavily overrepresented.
Overcrowding has well-documented negative consequences. Children growing up in overcrowded conditions perform worse in school, have less space for homework and rest, and face higher risks of mental health issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of overcrowding became particularly visible, with higher infection rates in overcrowded areas. The problem is connected to the housing shortage, high rents in new construction, and the difficulty for large families to find sufficiently large apartments at reasonable cost.
Key Points
- Swedish definition (norm 3): more than 2 people per bedroom excluding living room
- 15–20% of children in Sweden are estimated to live in overcrowded conditions
- Overrepresented among children with foreign backgrounds and single-parent households
- Negative effects: poorer school results, mental health issues, disease spread
- Connected to housing shortage, high rents, and lack of large apartments
Practical Tip
If you live in overcrowded conditions and are looking for a larger home, check whether you qualify for priority in the municipal housing queue — some municipalities give priority to overcrowded families with children. Contact social services to explore your options.
Based on content from Bofrid's Knowledge Bank