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You are here: Home i In Focus i In Focus 2025 i Theme: Joint challenges for Nordic municipalities i Municipal Nordics face common challenges

Municipal Nordics face common challenges

Municipalities across the Nordic region are under pressure from ageing populations, labour shortages and rising costs. The challenge is to deliver quality services in line with residents' growing expectations, according to the Nordic municipal organisations.

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Municipal services under threat

When municipalities have less money, politicians must prioritise. In Drammen municipality in Norway, they suggested closing several schools. That created fierce protests among residents. Photo: Line Scheistrøen.

Nordic Municipalities

Finland 

  • There are 307 municipalities in Finland, 108 of which are classified as cities. 
  • The most populous and densely populated municipality is the capital, Helsinki, with approximately 664,028 residents. 
  • The smallest mainland municipality is Luhanka, with 692 residents, while the smallest city is Kaskö (Kaskinen), with around 1,256 residents. 
  • In the Åland region, the smallest municipality is Sottunga, with around 100 residents.


Denmark 

  • Denmark has 98 municipalities. 
  • The largest in terms of population is Copenhagen Municipality, with 660,000 residents. 
  • The smallest is Læsø Municipality, an island between Frederikshavn and Gothenburg, with just 1,793 residents.


Norway 

  • There are 357 municipalities in Norway (as of 1 January 2024). 
  • Oslo is the largest, with a population of 717,710 (2024). 
  • The smallest is Utsira, with just 217 residents (2024).


Iceland 

  • Iceland has 62 municipalities. 
  • The largest is Reykjavík, with 138,772 residents. 
  • The smallest is Tjörneshreppur, with 53 residents.


Sweden  

  • Sweden has 290 municipalities. 
  • The largest is Stockholm, with 955,574 residents (2024). 
  • The smallest is Dorotea, with a population of 2,294 (2024).
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