Population, Political Divisions

Sweden is divided into 21 counties: Stockholm, Uppsala, Sodermanland; Ostergotland, Jonkoping, Kronoberg, Kalmar, Gotland, Blekinge, Skane, Halland, Vastra Gotaland, Varmland, Orebro, Vastmanland, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Vasternorrland, Jamtland, Vasterbotten, and Norrbotten. Each county has a governor and a state county administrative board. The governor, appointed by the central government, is chairman of the board; the board’s 14 members are elected by the county council. Each county except for Gotland has a county council elected by local voters. County councils are mainly responsible for overseeing health services.

Sweden is further divided into 286 municipalities. Municipal councils, elected by local voters, control local government and taxation.