Allmännyttan står för allt mindre del av lägenheterna – så ser det ut i Malmö

This article, published by Newsworthy and authored by Leo Wallentin, examines the declining share of municipally owned housing (allmännyttan) in Malmö and places it within the broader Swedish context. It draws on recent statistics from Statistics Sweden (SCB) and includes commentary from experts at Boverket and the Hyresgästföreningen, offering a factual picture of housing tenure trends relevant to sustainable urban development across Europe.

In Malmö, allmännyttan now accounts for 16 percent of apartments in multi‑family buildings, down from a slightly higher share in the surrounding county. Since 2013 the municipal share has fallen by roughly two percentage points, with a further decline recorded in the previous year. Over the same period the total number of apartments in the city rose from 118 818 to 141 350, indicating that private‑sector construction is outpacing growth in the public housing stock.

Across Sweden, the proportion of dwellings owned by public‑housing companies continues to shrink annually. The article notes that while the absolute number of allmännyttiga units is still increasing, the rate of growth is slower than that of private apartments, leading to a gradual reduction in the overall share of public housing in the national housing mix.

The piece also highlights the stability of the share of condominiums (bostadsrätter) in Malmö, which has remained around 48 percent over the past decade, with rental apartments constituting about 52 percent. Since 2009, a third form of tenure—owner‑occupied flats (äganderätt)—has been introduced, now present in 54 municipalities, though its numbers remain modest.

Roger Gustafsson, a national economist at Boverket, stresses that the slower growth of public housing does not signal a dramatic national shift, as allmännyttan still expands, albeit at a reduced pace. He cautions against drawing broad conclusions from municipal variations. Meanwhile, Madeleine Olausson of the Hyresgästföreningen warns that the gradual loss of public housing could raise rental costs, because public units typically offer lower rents and serve a wider segment of the population.

The data illustrate how the balance between public and private housing sectors influences affordability and social equity—core considerations for sustainable urban planning. The increase in private construction, coupled with the modest rise of owner‑occupied units, suggests a move toward market‑driven development, which may affect long‑term sustainability goals such as inclusive housing provision and reduced carbon footprints through efficient building practices.

The article notes that the trend of declining public‑housing share is expected to continue unless policy interventions address the faster growth of private apartments. Ongoing monitoring of tenure ratios and housing stock expansion will be essential for stakeholders aiming to promote sustainable, affordable housing across Europe.