Transport industry in Sweden - Statistics & Facts
Although not as well known as Germany for its automotive industry, the country's largest company is automotive manufacturer Volvo. In additon to its automotive manufacturing sector playing a significant role, Sweden has seen growth in their automotive sales industry, with about 290,000 new passenger car registrations in 2023. In addition, there is an overall trend of growth in yearly sales revenue in the Swedish motor vehicle sector, reaching about 47 billion euros in 2022.
The Scandinavian country boasts the ninth largest transport workforce in the EU as of 2020. In addition, the road network in Sweden is highly developed with around 200,000 kilometers of roads, including 2,200 kilometers of motorways. Along with making their road infrastructure suitable for private vehicles, it facilitates freight transport, where around 48 billion tonne-kilometers of freight were transported by road in Sweden in 2022.
By far, the largest port in Sweden in terms of cargo volume is Gothenburg, handling about 40 million metric tons as of 2022, with about 7.8 million passengers embarking and disembarking in the Swedish capital. Overall, about 67,000 vessels, around 50,000 being passenger vessels and ferries, entered Swedish ports in 2023. Although industry revenues for water transport reached approximately 2.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, they are projected to rise to 2.6 billion and be maintained at around the same level until 2025.
The Scandinavian country boasts the ninth largest transport workforce in the EU as of 2020. In addition, the road network in Sweden is highly developed with around 200,000 kilometers of roads, including 2,200 kilometers of motorways. Along with making their road infrastructure suitable for private vehicles, it facilitates freight transport, where around 48 billion tonne-kilometers of freight were transported by road in Sweden in 2022.
A climate leader on transport?
Sweden has been considered one of the leading countries with regard to climate policy. And with a goal set on zero net-emissions by the end of 2045, Sweden has worked to decrease its greenhouse gas output. As a result, Sweden boasts the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the European Union(EU-27); about 0.56 metric tons in carbon dioxide equivalent. In particular, with transportation accounting for about one-fifth of all carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, Sweden produces modest amounts of carbon dioxide gas emissions due to its transport industry as compared with the top emitting countries in the EU, with about 14.5 million metric tons. This has been accomplished through various policies and goals which have also manifested in more eco-conscious decisions by Swedish consumers. For example, as of 2022, Sweden saw the fourth highest new registrations of plug-in electric cars, about 160,000, in the EU. In spite of this, the Swedish government has decided to scrap its aviation tax, to boost the industry demand and competitiveness.Maritime Transport
Having a large coastal area, Sweden’s maritime transport is an essential part of its economy, supporting both domestic and international trade. Swedish ports handle some of the largest cargo volumes in Scandinavia, and act as a connecting hub between Sweden and other Scandinavian countries.By far, the largest port in Sweden in terms of cargo volume is Gothenburg, handling about 40 million metric tons as of 2022, with about 7.8 million passengers embarking and disembarking in the Swedish capital. Overall, about 67,000 vessels, around 50,000 being passenger vessels and ferries, entered Swedish ports in 2023. Although industry revenues for water transport reached approximately 2.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, they are projected to rise to 2.6 billion and be maintained at around the same level until 2025.
