In a recent update from Statistics Sweden (SCB), it’s reported that non-profit organizations in Sweden gave out a total of 57 billion kronor in gifts during the year 2021. This generous contribution from the civil society sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounted to 161 billion kronor, making up 3.3% of Sweden’s overall economy in 2021.
The largest share of this came from activities related to Housing, Social, and Societal Development. Employment in the civil society sector saw a 2% increase, reaching nearly 192,000 individuals, with 61% being women. The government played a role by disbursing a total of 3.2 billion kronor in COVID-19 support to civil society during 2021.
The number of organizations within the civil society sector also saw an increase, totaling 263,498, which is a rise of 1.1% compared to 2020. The majority (62%) of these organizations were non-profit associations, with 31% engaged in Housing, Social, and Societal Development activities, including housing cooperatives, rental cooperatives, and joint property owners’ associations. Another 25% operated in Recreation and Culture.
The total operating income of non-profit organizations in 2021 amounted to 147.4 billion kronor. Notably, membership fees accounted for 20.2%, and revenue from the sale of goods and services contributed 22.5%. The structure of income witnessed changes due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sales of goods and services. However, the financial performance of these organizations improved, with a 7.4% increase in the net result after financial items, reaching 77.2 billion kronor in 2021.
Out of this, 56.8 billion kronor were distributed as gifts, scholarships, and grants. The government’s COVID-19 support to civil society increased by 1.1 billion kronor compared to 2020, totaling 3.2 billion kronor in 2021. Two-thirds of this support, or 2.1 billion kronor, was directed to sports associations and direct support to sports clubs, with the remainder benefiting other organizations in recreation and culture.
While the civil society’s total production remained constant at 272 billion kronor in 2021, its share of Sweden’s production decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 2.7%. This shift is attributed to the overall increase in production in the national economy compared to 2020.
These figures underscore the substantial role played by the civil society sector in Sweden’s economic and social landscape, even as it adapts to the evolving challenges posed by the global pandemic.