Number of inhabitants: |
1,558,000 (a sixth of the national population) with 130 nationalities |
| Area: | 24,000 square kilometres |
| Adjoins: | Lake Vänern, the largest lake in the EU. |
| Number of districts: | 49 |
| Largest cities: | Göteborg, Borås, Mölndal, Uddevalla, Skövde |
| Universities/colleges: | 6 in total: The University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, University of Borås, University of Skövde, University West in Sweden, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences |
| Number of students: | 90,000 |
Founded: |
1999 as an experiment, will be permanent in 2011 |
| Head Office: | In Vänersborg 95km north of Göteborg |
| Led by: | Directly-appointed regional delegates |
| Main tasks: | Healthcare, business growth, and development. |
| Cultural operations: | Owns and operates The Göteborg Opera, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and Film i Väst (producer of a number of international films) |
… Västra Götaland is Scandinavia’s most visited city region in relation to its population. In actual numbers, Västra Götaland has more visitors than both the Copenhagen and Oslo regions.
… West Sweden invests the second largest amount, after Stuttgart, of all the EU’s regions, in research and development, in relation to GRP (Gross Regional Product):
… West Sweden has quickly advanced up the list of the most competitive business regions in the world, from number 37 of 145 regions in 2005 to number 16. Regions from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, India, China, and Japan are all included in the list. The Centre for International Competitiveness produces the list derived from, among other things, the region’s own ability to predict and adapt to new inner and outer economical and social demands.
… West Sweden is among the best of Europe’s regions according to the Regional Innovation Scoreboard. This scoreboard looks at seven indicators: human capital within science and technology, the number of higher education courses, the number of employees within advanced technological industries and services, public and private investment in research and development, and patent applications.
… West Sweden is deemed to be among the top ten regions in Europe with best conditions for long-term sustainable development, according to the Berlin Institute for Population and Development.
… the population in Västra Götaland increased during 2008 by 10,800 to 1,558,000 inhabitants, which provides favourable conditions for managing the welfare needs of the future. The population is predicted to increase by a further 100,000 by the year 2020.
… industry in Västra Götaland has a long tradition of openness and internationalisation. A fourth of all Swedish export comes from companies located in Västra Götaland, which is proportionately higher in relation to the region’s population (a sixth of the national population).
Foot note: For statistical purposes, the concept West Sweden includes Västra Götaland County and Halland County.
Göteborg is arranging three informal council meetings during its half-year period as Chair of the EU. A further 20 or so EU-meetings in total are being arranged in Göteborg and Västra Götaland.
Are you interested in conducting an interview? Sustainable development is a common theme among representatives from politics, academia, and trade and industry in Göteborg and Västra Götaland.
Are you interested in going on a study visit? We’re pleased to offer the chance to study a range of things from biogas production to recycling, among other things.
