According to SCB (Statistics Sweden), Norsjö is the municipality in Sweden with the largest percentage population decline. The population decreased by 157 people last year, landing at 3,811 inhabitants. Municipal councilor Mikael Lindfors explained that the population decline in Norsjö is due to reduced refugee reception, decreased childbirth, and the Northvolt effect.
The bankruptcy of the large battery factory Northvolt in the neighboring municipality Skellefteå led to increased out-migration from Norsjö. Lindfors noted that Norsjö and Skellefteå are part of the same labor market area. He said, 'We are connected, we are the same labor market area.
We are connected, we are the same labor market area. In 2024, we followed Skellefteå's population increase based on the green transition, and now when it goes negative there, it goes negative for us.
' SCB data shows that Skellefteå municipality's population decreased by 2,745 people, which is the largest decrease in Sweden in exact numbers, with Skellefteå now having 75,405 inhabitants. Municipal director Kristina Sundin Jonsson stated, 'After a couple of years with historical population increases, 2025 was of course a very challenging year due to Northvolt's bankruptcy. ' Despite the decline, Norsjö municipality maintains its goal of 5,000 inhabitants by 2050.
The municipality is establishing a working group with representatives from political parties, business, civil society, and municipal operations to analyze and plan concrete measures to attract inhabitants. However, the specific measures the working group will propose are not yet known, and it has not started its work yet, according to Lindfors. He added, 'The working group has not started its work, but we must get more job opportunities.
The working group has not started its work, but we must get more job opportunities. When you have job opportunities to attract with, it is significantly easier.
' The number of job opportunities needed in Norsjö to reverse the population decline remains unclear.