Stockholm Faces Significant Decline in Student Enrollment as Schools Close

Stockholm is projected to experience a decline of over 10,000 elementary school students by 2033, with approximately 8,700 of these coming from municipal schools. This year alone, the number of students has decreased by more than 1,000, highlighting an immediate challenge for the education sector.

The most significant reductions are expected in neighborhoods like Södermalm, where a 22 percent drop in student numbers is anticipated by 2033. This decline has already led to the closure of Åsö School, with Ekens School also under threat of closure. The city's education officials recognize the difficult decisions ahead, emphasizing that financial pressures on families are contributing to this trend, particularly in areas where living costs are high.

Emilia Bjuggren, the school councilor, noted that while most schools will remain open, many will have to downsize. For instance, class sizes may be reduced from three to two parallel classes. This adjustment is necessary to ensure that available funds are allocated to educational resources and hiring more teachers, rather than being consumed by operational costs.

Stockholm has already begun to close several preschools in various districts, including Södermalm and Kungsholmen, as well as in Gubbängen and Hägersten. Although the overall population of Stockholm is expected to grow--rising from 988,900 in 2023 to approximately 1,058,400 by 2033--the number of families with children is decreasing. Since 2018, there has been a noticeable trend of young adults and families relocating out of the region, despite the overall growth in the city's population.

The declining birth rates in Sweden, currently at historic lows, have resulted in fewer children entering the 6-15 age group than those aging out. As a response to this demographic shift, the city plans to eliminate over 6,600 student spots in temporary facilities often set up in school yards and to delay or halt projects for new schools that are no longer necessary.

Specific school projects have been canceled in areas such as Riksby, Norra Djurgårdsstaden, Vinterviken, and Högdalen, with no plans for construction in the coming decades. Similarly, plans for new schools in Kista Äng, the Slakthusområdet, and Årstafältet have also been postponed.

One positive aspect highlighted by Bjuggren is the opportunity to relocate students from older schools during necessary renovations, as the city embarks on a comprehensive maintenance program affecting around 45 schools in the coming years.

As the city navigates these changes, it aims to reassure parents that educational options will remain viable, albeit in potentially smaller forms. The long-term goal remains to make living in Stockholm affordable for families, encouraging them to stay in the city and contribute to its future.

According to the city's projections, various districts will see differing impacts on student enrollment by 2033. For example, Bromma anticipates a reduction of 1,200 students, with plans for renovations at Blackeberg School and Abrahamsberg School. Enskede-Årsta-Vantör is set to lose 500 students, while Hägersten-Älvsjö is projected to experience a decrease of 1,700 students. Each neighborhood is adapting to these demographic changes in ways that reflect their specific community needs.