Shortage Occupations List in Sweden allows foreign workers to know if their expertise is required there or not. This means you can find a job and apply for a work permit when you hold a qualification or skilled experience, and it is required currently in Sweden and mentioned in the shortage occupations list.
Sweden just like many other Schengen countries is facing a labor shortage in many skilled and highly qualified professions. In the first half of 2024, the Swedish government has issued 14,615 work permits for foreign workers. This indicates that the country requires a large number of non-EU workers for its labor market.
How does the shortage occupations list in Sweden work?
The Swedish government time to time issues a list that includes professions in shortage of labor and workers. No matter how it carries with the passage of time, occupations related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are always a part of it. Currently, professionals related to “Artificial intelligence”, Energy, and power are also becoming an integral part of it.
Government Initiatives
Since 2011, the Swedish government and social partners have been discussing ways to improve young people’s transition from education to employment and ensure a sustainable supply of skilled workers.
School-Company Collaborations Initiatives like Stockholm’s High School for Transport and Automotive Technology partnering with companies like Scania aim to increase the supply of skilled technicians by strengthening relationships between schools and businesses.
Various regional initiatives, such as Teknikcollege and Vård- och omsorgscollege, have been established to foster cooperation between schools and employers, focusing on improving the quality and long-term competence in vocational education.
Engineering Shortages
The Swedish Public Employment Service (PES) has identified significant shortages in various engineering fields, including building and construction, chemical, electrical power, mechanical, mining, and other technical specializations.
There is a high demand for specific engineering roles, such as electrical engineers, electronics engineers, and technicians, as well as Masters of Engineering in electronics-telecommunication and related fields.
Forecasts by Statistics Sweden indicate a sharp decrease in the supply of upper secondary engineers and those educated in industrial subjects by 2035, despite an expected drop in demand. This requires a definite recruitment from non-EU countries in engineering fields.
The shortage of technical skills has created bottlenecks in high-skilled occupations, particularly in specialized engineering and IT roles. It means this issue is anticipated to worsen in the next 5 to 10 years due to increasing retirements.
Shortage Occupations List in Sweden
| Category | Professions |
| Construction and Building | Construction Workers, Concrete Workers, Carpenters, Scaffold Builder, Sheet Metal Worker, Bricklayer, Ceiling Fitters, Construction Machine Operator, Building and Ventilation Sheet Metal Workers, Carpenter, Woodworkers and Carpenters |
| Engineering and Technical Professions | Civil Engineer in Construction, Civil Engineer in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineer in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineer in Logistics and Production Planning, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Distribution Electrician, Operations Engineer (IT), Precision Mechanics Engineer, Mechanical Engineers, Engineers and Technicians in Construction, Technicians in Electrical Engineering, Engineers and Technicians in Industry, Logistics and Production Planning, Engineers and Technicians in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Installation and Service Electrician, Support Technician (IT), Systems Analysts and IT Architects, System Administrator, System Tester and Test Leader, Electronics Repairers and Communications Electricians, Network and System Technicians, Process Supervisor in the Chemical Industry, Property Manager, Mechanical Machinery Assemblers, Machine Installers and Machine Operators in Metal Work, Maintenance Mechanics and Machine Repairers, Process Operators (Wood and Paper Industry), Technicians at Heating and Waterworks, Cooling and Heat Pump Technicians, Laboratory Engineers, Varnishes and Industrial Painters, Machine Operators (Rubber, Plastics, and Stationery Industry), Machine Operators (Chemical and Pharmaceutical Products), Carpenters and Machine Operators in the Wood Industry |
| Healthcare and Medical Professions | Pharmacists, Midwives, Nanny, Social Work Professionals, Biomedical Analysts, Nurses, X-ray Nurses, Dental Hygienists, Dentists, Dental Nurses, Dental Technicians and Orthopedic Engineers, Doctors, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Specialist Nurses in Emergency Health Care, Specialist Nurses in General Health Care, Medical Secretaries and Care Administrators, Assistant Nurses (Home Care and Nursing Homes), Nurses (Ward and Receptionist – Healthcare) |
| Education and Teaching | Preschool Teachers, Primary School Teachers, High School Teachers, Teachers in Vocational Subjects, Special Needs Teachers and Educators, University and College Teachers, Guidance Counselors |
| Social Services and Care | Social Aid Assessor, Social Insurance Administrator, Social Secretary, Curators, Personal Assistants, Caregivers and Housing Supporters, Nursing Assistant |
| Business, Finance, and Law | Business Salesman, Controller, Lawyers, Buyers and Purchasers, Accounting Economists, Auditors, Freight Forwarders and Transport Brokers, Property Managers |
| Food Services and Hospitality | Bakers and Confectioners, Bartenders, Chefs and Servers, Foremen and Waiters, Prison and Probation Officers, Taxi Driver, Truck Driver, Train Driver, Train Hosts and Onboard Managers |
| Agriculture, Forestry, and Environmental | Driver of Agricultural and Forestry Machinery, Farmer (Agricultural Plants, Fruits, and Berries), Forest Workers, Plant Breeders and Animal Breeders with Mixed Operation, Breeders and Caretakers of Farm Animals, Environmental and Health Inspectors, Butchers and Slaughterers, Gardeners |
| Information Technology | Software and System Developers, Systems Analysts and IT Architects, System Administrators, Support Technicians (IT), Network and System Technicians |
| Transportation and Logistics | Bus and Tram Drivers, Truck Drivers, Train Drivers, Transport Managers and Transport Coordinators, Truck Driver, Freight Forwarders, and, Transport Brokers |
| Security and Public Safety | Guards and Security Guards, Security Inspectors, Prison and Probation Officers |
| Art, Media, and Design | Painters, Varnishes and Industrial Painters, Hairdressers, Interpreters, Telephone Salesman, Welders |
| Miscellaneous | Cleaners, Caretaker, Sanitation Workers, Receptionists, Taxi Drivers, Nanny |
Profession-wise Salary in Sweden
The average monthly salary in Sweden is €3,419.43, placing the country in the middle range of the European Union in terms of wages. The median is the middle value in an ordered list of numbers; for example, in the set 1,000, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, and 3,500, the median would be 2,500. Overall, the salary set varies profession-wise and the latest salary levels can be as follows:
| Occupations | Monthly Salary (Swedish Kronor) |
| Financial and Insurance Manager | 150,100 |
| Municipality or County Council Director | 102,400 |
| Financial Broker | 99,200 |
| CEO | 90,100 |
| Specialist Physician | 86,400 |
| Financial and Economic Managers | 86,100 |
| Lower-Level Managers in Finance and Insurance | 85,800 |
| Research and Development Managers | 83,800 |
| Operations Managers in Mining and Construction | 81,000 |
| IT Managers | 77,200 |
| Service Personnel | 23,400 |
| Berry Picker, Plantation Worker | 23,500 |
| Café and Confectionery Cashiers | 24,900 |
| Market Researcher, Interviewer | 24,900 |
| Restaurant Kitchen Assistants | 25,200 |
| Cleaner | 25,600 |
| Nanny | 25,800 |
| Wallpaperer | 26,100 |
| Gardener | 26,500 |