With an annual economic growth rate of more than three per cent since 2000, the Gothenburg region ranks high internationally in various comparisons of competitiveness and future potential. The total population has increased by around 150,000 since 2000 and passed the million mark in 2017.
At the same time over 100,000 new jobs have been created and today the region has a highly diverse economy with more than 750 different sectors.
5th PLACE Competiveness
The Gothenburg region shows positive results in terms of employment, higher education and R&D. The Europe 2020 Regional Index: 5th among 268 regions Source: European Commission.Innovation
Gothenburg comes in at twelfth place with 4.4 patent applications per 10,000 inhabitants. World’s Most Inventive Cities: 1...
Growth potential
Gothenburg ranks high for future in potential for economic growth and employment. The Performance Index 2014: 10th among 11...
Entrepreneurship
The Gothenburg region is forecast to have large potential for new concept development, new enterprise development and growth....
IT and logistics
Gothenburg ranked ninth among European cities and regions for best IT and logistics infrastructure. European Cities and Reg...
Strong trade and industry
The Gothenburg region is home to multinationals, thriving small industrial enterprises and unique competence clusters. Growth in trading activity is strong: the whole world is close thanks to Gothenburg’s strategic location, an international airport and Scandinavia’s largest port.
The regional economy is characterised by globally active, knowledge-intensive manufacturing companies, such as Volvo, SKF and AstraZeneca. Industrial investments in the region are increasing steadily. Manufacturing industry and trade have the highest turnover, but corporate services, transport and construction also account for a large part of the region’s revenues.
One of the Gothenburg region’s strengths is R&D, with state-of-the-art manufacturing industry and close collaboration between business, policymakers and academia, providing a high level of competence and plenty of scope for innovation.
Growth strategy
Construction worth SEK 1,000 billion is planned in the Gothenburg region over the next 20 years. Public transport is to be strengthened through infrastructure investments. Billions are being invested in the West Swedish Agreement, a series of transport infrastructure initiatives to interconnect West Sweden, and a high speed rail line between Borås and Gothenburg. As Sweden’s second city and region, the local labour market is forecast to rise to 1.75 million by 2030. Several studies show the Gothenburg region’s* strength in international rankings.* Indications refer to West Sweden.
Did you know that ....
… businesses in the Gothenburg region account for 52 per cent of Sweden’s total R&D investments in the automotive and other vehicle manufacturing industries?
.… businesses in the Gothenburg region account for 22 per cent of Sweden’s total R&D investments? This makes ours one of the most research-intensive regions in Europe.
…. over 100 researchers collaborate at the Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap)? The goal is to increase the quality of life and social participation of older people.
… the Gothenburg region has internationally recognised competence in sustainable development and environmental technology solutions? District heating is a particularly successful area, where Gothenburg is a global leader.
… the Chalmers Innovation incubator in Gothenburg has been ranked Europe’s ninth best business incubator? Business incubators that reach UBI’s top 10 list stand out from the rest, with better returns, access to investment capital and successes after the incubator stage.
Source: 100% Facts & Statistics on the Gothenburg Region’s Economy 2016, Business Region Göteborg.