Population up despite financial crisis: report

Published: 17 Aug 09 08:35 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/21504/20090817/

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Sweden's population increased to almost 9.3 million people during the first half of 2009, new figures indicate.

Fewer people emigrating from Sweden and a continued high birthrate are the reasons behind the increase - despite the economic crisis.

Historically the birthrate has often closely followed the economic cycle.

During the crisis-hit 1930s and 1990s the birthrate declined and statisticians had expected the same pattern to develop this time around. But as yet the effects of the credit crunch have not filtered through to the bedroom.

During the first half of 2009 56,251 were born in Sweden, 216 more than during the corresponding period of last year, according to Statistics Sweden (SCB).

One of the factors behind the trend is that many prospective parents may have already delayed the decision to have children. During recent years the average age of first-time parents has increased significantly and it is argued that many simply do not have the luxury of waiting in the good times.

The first half of 2009 also experienced a low death rate relative to births, with 46,857 passing away.

Furthermore only 3,881 people moved overseas, resulting in a immigration surplus of 27,097.

By June 30th the Swedish population amounted to 9,292,359 people.

It is primarily emigration to the UK and the USA that has declined, by around 30 percent in comparison to the corresponding period of last year. Fewer are also making the move to Finland and Norway, while emigration to Denmark is increasing.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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#1
08:54 August 17, 2009 by Puffin
Surely the headline is a little misleading here - births during the first half of 2009 would all have had to have been concieved between around March and October 2008 - so really before the major effects of the crisis became apparent in September/October 2008
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#2
09:02 August 17, 2009 by Renfeh Hguh
Come off it Puffin, you should know by now that the editors here don't let facts get in the way of a good headline :)
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#3
09:21 August 17, 2009 by peropaco
The birth-rate increase could be attributed to two factors:

1. Bertil could no longer afford to go to Thailand and spend his money on cheap beers and very young girls/boys or

2. Malin decided it was time to change; shed a bit of the grease, wide hips and become a bit more sexually active with her husband-partner, as opposed to getting drunk each Friday and banging her way back to sobriety
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#4
09:32 August 17, 2009 by bolababu
@ peropaco, ..thats a major answer and very true! but you are on your own when the red-necks wake up.
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#5
10:01 August 17, 2009 by peropaco
@ bolababu, LOL. Yep, lest see what the staggering and overexcited red-necks will say but I am more than certain they will agree.. ;-)))))))))
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#6
11:08 August 17, 2009 by Irishmanabroad
There could be another reason;

Boss: Hi Ms Svensson, I need to have a chat with you in my office later together with the HR director

Ms Svensson: Actually, I've been meaning to have a chat with you. My husband and I are having a child.

Boss: Bugger, now we can't let you go. That's unfair dismissal. So, when are you hoping to take your 18months maternity leave.

Ms Svensson: Oh, about 8months and 2 weeks from now. So, in about 26months and 2 weeks, I'd say the current finiancial unpleasentness may have ended at which point I can come back to work and my job will be secure. And 2 months later, child no.2 will have been conceived. God how I love my country!

I worked at an Automotive company in the UK which offerred 1year maternity leave (which is bloody rare)and suddenly, most of the limited population of female employees all became pregnant within a short period of time. Just so happens it coincided with the downturn and expected job losses! Fair enough!
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#7
11:19 August 17, 2009 by peropaco
Good one Irishmanabroad. I have a friend that had three kids in a row and she is not expected back to work till some time in 2012
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#8
20:50 August 17, 2009 by wxman
OK, so fewer people are emmigrating and the deathrate is down. Both of those are good for Swedes. However, has anyone analyzed the demographic breakdown of the births? I'll bet you anything that the bulk, shall we say, don't look like Vikings.
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