Swedish statisticians are predicting that the number of men in the country will soon outweigh the number of women, ending a phenomenon much celebrated by heterosexual men: for centuries there have been considerably more women than men in Sweden. But that could all change come the middle of the decade, according to reports.
Although more boys are born each year, 106 for every 100 girls, a combination of unhealthy living, hard work and wars has meant a higher mortality rate for men at a younger age. However, as the lifestyles of men and women continue to become more alike, life expectancy has also balanced out. There has also been a recent influx in migrant males coming from countries in the Middle East, Africa and the former Yugoslavia.
According to the SCB, on 31st December 2014, there will be 2,225 more women in the country than men. However, on 31st December 2015, the scales will have tipped in favour of men who will tot up 4,700 more than their female counterparts.
According to a report in the Sydsvenskan newspaper, there will be 38,200 more men than women by the end of the decade. Life expectancy for males is increasing at a higher rate than women, despite the latter living around 6.4 years longer than their male counterparts just 30 years ago; this has dropped to 4.7 years today. The figure is expected to continue to fall, and the difference is predicted to be just two in another 30 years.
In some rural areas, the number of men is already exceeding women. However, women are still dominant in cities including Malmo, Gothenburg and Stockholm.