Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026
Sweden has 21 Provinces , also known as "Provinces" in Swedish. Here is a list of the 21 Provinces in alphabetical order
Sweden is a Nordic country in Northern Europe located on the Scandinavian Peninsula between Norway and Finland. The country is divided into 21 counties for regional administration and governance, while municipalities handle most local services. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and also the country’s largest city, serving as the political, financial, and cultural center.
Sweden stretches from the forests and Arctic landscapes of the north to fertile plains and long Baltic coastlines in the south. Different counties are known for mining, technology, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, shipping, and research, and the country’s lakes, islands, mountains, and historic cities give each region its own identity.
Key Facts
National capital: Stockholm | Total population: 10,551,707 (Official estimate 2025) | Total area: 450,295 km² (173,860 sq miles) | Currency: Swedish Krona (kr - SEK) | Bordering countries: Norway, Finland | Total Counties: 21 | Total Municipalities: 290
List of Counties and Capitals of Sweden
Total administrative divisions shown: 21 | Combined population: 10,551,707 | Combined area: 450,295 km²
| # | County Name | County Capital | Geographic Region | Area (km²) | Population (Official Estimate 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blekinge County | Karlskrona | Southern Coast | 2,931 | 160,000 |
| 2 | Dalarna County | Falun | Central Sweden | 28,194 | 288,000 |
| 3 | Gotland County | Visby | Baltic Island Region | 3,183 | 61,000 |
| 4 | Gävleborg County | Gävle | East-Central Coast | 18,191 | 287,000 |
| 5 | Halland County | Halmstad | Southwestern Coast | 5,719 | 347,000 |
| 6 | Jämtland County | Östersund | Mountain Interior | 49,443 | 132,000 |
| 7 | Jönköping County | Jönköping | Southern Inland Lakes | 10,495 | 370,000 |
| 8 | Kalmar County | Kalmar | Southeastern Coast | 11,217 | 247,000 |
| 9 | Kronoberg County | Växjö | Southern Forest Region | 8,466 | 205,000 |
| 10 | Norrbotten County | Luleå | Arctic North | 98,245 | 251,000 |
| 11 | Örebro County | Örebro | Central Inland | 8,546 | 309,000 |
| 12 | Östergötland County | Linköping | Eastern Sweden | 10,562 | 474,000 |
| 13 | Skåne County | Malmö | Southern Peninsula | 11,034 | 1,450,000 |
| 14 | Södermanland County | Nyköping | East-Central Sweden | 6,103 | 308,000 |
| 15 | Stockholm County | Stockholm | Capital Region | 6,519 | 2,470,000 |
| 16 | Uppsala County | Uppsala | East-Central Plains | 8,209 | 410,000 |
| 17 | Värmland County | Karlstad | Western Lakes Region | 17,583 | 283,000 |
| 18 | Västerbotten County | Umeå | Northern Coast | 55,432 | 278,000 |
| 19 | Västernorrland County | Härnösand | Central Baltic Coast | 21,678 | 245,000 |
| 20 | Västmanland County | Västerås | Central Industrial Belt | 5,145 | 281,000 |
| 21 | Västra Götaland County | Gothenburg | Western Coast | 23,942 | 1,770,707 |
Largest Counties by Area
- Norrbotten County - 37,933 sq mi (98,245 km²)
- Västerbotten County - 21,402 sq mi (55,432 km²)
- Jämtland County - 19,090 sq mi (49,443 km²)
- Dalarna County - 10,885 sq mi (28,194 km²)
- Västra Götaland County - 9,244 sq mi (23,942 km²)
- Västernorrland County - 8,370 sq mi (21,678 km²)
- Gävleborg County - 7,023 sq mi (18,191 km²)
- Värmland County - 6,789 sq mi (17,583 km²)
Most Populous Counties
- Stockholm County - Population: 2,470,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Västra Götaland County - Population: 1,770,707 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Skåne County - Population: 1,450,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Östergötland County - Population: 474,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Uppsala County - Population: 410,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Jönköping County - Population: 370,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Halland County - Population: 347,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Örebro County - Population: 309,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Smallest Counties by Area
- Blekinge County - 1,132 sq mi (2,931 km²)
- Gotland County - 1,229 sq mi (3,183 km²)
- Västmanland County - 1,987 sq mi (5,145 km²)
- Halland County - 2,208 sq mi (5,719 km²)
- Södermanland County - 2,356 sq mi (6,103 km²)
- Stockholm County - 2,517 sq mi (6,519 km²)
Counties by Geographic Grouping
- Arctic North: Norrbotten County
- Baltic Island Region: Gotland County
- Capital Region: Stockholm County
- Central Baltic Coast: Västernorrland County
- Central Industrial Belt: Västmanland County
- Central Inland: Örebro County
- Central Sweden: Dalarna County
- East-Central Coast: Gävleborg County
- East-Central Plains: Uppsala County
- Eastern Sweden: Östergötland County
- Mountain Interior: Jämtland County
- Northern Coast: Västerbotten County
- Southern Coast: Blekinge County
- Southern Forest Region: Kronoberg County
- Southern Inland Lakes: Jönköping County
- Southern Peninsula: Skåne County
- Southeastern Coast: Kalmar County
- Southwestern Coast: Halland County
- Western Coast: Västra Götaland County
- Western Lakes Region: Värmland County
Counties with Coastline
- Blekinge County
- Gotland County
- Gävleborg County
- Halland County
- Kalmar County
- Norrbotten County
- Skåne County
- Stockholm County
- Västerbotten County
- Västernorrland County
- Västra Götaland County
Landlocked Counties
- Dalarna County
- Jämtland County
- Jönköping County
- Kronoberg County
- Örebro County
- Östergötland County
- Södermanland County
- Uppsala County
- Värmland County
- Västmanland County
Counties Sharing an International Border
- Norrbotten County - borders Finland
- Jämtland County - borders Norway
- Värmland County - borders Norway
- Västra Götaland County - borders Norway
Major Economic Activities by County
| County | Main Economic Activity | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholm County | Finance and technology | Capital city and innovation economy |
| Västra Götaland County | Manufacturing and shipping | Automotive industry and Gothenburg port |
| Skåne County | Agriculture and research | Universities and fertile farmland |
| Norrbotten County | Mining and energy | Iron ore mining and Arctic industry |
| Västerbotten County | Forestry and technology | Timber industry and university research |
| Gotland County | Tourism and agriculture | Baltic island tourism and medieval heritage |
Important Natural and Cultural Areas
- Stockholm Archipelago: Stockholm County
- Kiruna and Lapland: Norrbotten County
- Visby Medieval Town: Gotland County
- Göta Canal: Västra Götaland and Östergötland Counties
- Abisko National Park: Norrbotten County
- Öresund Region: Skåne County
Sources
- Statistics Sweden
- Government of Sweden
- World Bank - Sweden Data
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Sweden
- CIA World Factbook - Sweden