Forshaga Municipality
11,439 residents · 17 km from Karlstad
Forshaga has well-staffed preschools, many new businesses and a high sense of safety, but few job openings and a shrinking population.
Strongest
- Preschoolrank 14 of 290
- New businessesrank 33 of 290
- Safetyrank 53 of 249
Weakest
- Job openingsrank 288 of 290
- Population growthrank 219 of 290
The quiz and the compare page are in Swedish.
Scores and key figures
How Forshaga compares with the other municipalities. The score is based on rank, using the same figures as the rankings: 5 is first place in Sweden and 1 is last, and a high score is always good, for example low tax or low house prices. Tap an area for the figures behind it.
Housing & economy
3.7 House pricesrank 97 of 290
2.1 Municipal taxrank 207 of 290
2.9 Median incomerank 156 of 290
4.0 Close to naturerank 70 of 290
Safety & family
4.2 Safetyrank 53 of 249
3.7 Schoolsrank 98 of 290
4.8 Preschoolrank 14 of 290
Care
3.8 Home carerank 91 of 290
Jobs & business
2.1 Labour marketrank 209 of 290
1.0 Job openingsrank 288 of 290
4.6 New businessesrank 33 of 290
Growth
2.0 Population growthrank 219 of 290
Other
Source: Kolada, Statistics Sweden (SCB), Swedish Public Employment Service (Jobtech), SMHI, Valmyndigheten. "Sweden" is the source's own national figure where there is one (every Kolada measure and SCB's house prices), otherwise Kommunlotsen's own population-weighted average across all municipalities. The bar under each measure shows placement among municipalities, not where the number sits between the lowest and highest value: a full bar is best in Sweden, the middle tick is the median municipality and the diamond shows where Sweden's average places. The "highest" and "lowest" labels mark the 10 highest and lowest of Sweden's municipalities and are not judgements of quality. Sources and licences: open data page (in Swedish). Last updated .
Did you know?
- 7th highest (shared) in Sweden for gigabit broadband coverage · 100%
Origin
10.8% have a foreign background (Sweden 27.6%), 8.8% are foreign-born (Sweden 20.8%), 3.6% of all residents were born outside Europe (Sweden 12%).
The most common countries of birth among foreign-born residents. Select a country to see where in Sweden the group lives.
- Syria 1.2% of residents
- Norway 0.9% of residents
- Finland 0.5% of residents
- Germany 0.5% of residents
- Netherlands 0.4% of residents
- Afghanistan 0.4% of residents
- Iran 0.3% of residents
- Poland 0.3% of residents
- Thailand 0.2% of residents
- Hungary 0.2% of residents
Where in Sweden do people born in Syria live? · Origins by country
Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB). "Foreign background" adds the foreign-born to people born in Sweden to two foreign-born parents. "Born outside Europe" follows the UN's regional classification. Shares and the national figure are Kommunlotsen's own calculations from SCB data.
Self-sufficiency
77% of residents aged 20–64 in Forshaga are self-sufficient (Sweden 74.4%). That means an income of at least three income base amounts a year, about SEK 229,000 in 2024. Full-time students below that level are counted separately.
- Self-sufficient 77%
- Studying 3%
- Not self-sufficient 19.9%
Share of self-sufficient residents aged 20–64, 2024. "Sweden" is Statistics Sweden's national figure. Groups of fewer than 100 people are not reported. Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB).
Refugees
361 residents of Forshaga came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee. That is 3.2% of residents (Sweden 7.3%).
Main income source of refugees and family members aged 20–65
- Pay 59.5%
- Unemployment benefit 11%
- Student aid 3.8%
- Sickness or activity compensation 3.8%
- Social assistance 15.5%
- No benefit or pension 6.4%
Number 2025, work and income source 2024 (age 20–65). "In work" means employed according to Statistics Sweden's register data. "Sweden" is Statistics Sweden's national figure. Groups of fewer than 100 people are not reported. Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB).
Housing & leisure
Commuting
Share of employed residents who commute across the municipal border. A "bedroom community" sends at least 60% out and takes in under 50%; a "job hub" is the reverse; a "commuter hub" has at least 50% both ways.
People
Everyday life & connectivity
2026 municipal election
In the municipal council election on 13 September 2026, the Social Democrats became the largest party in Forshaga with 37.3% of the vote and 15 of 41 seats. Turnout was 85.7% (Sweden 82.3%).
Seats on the municipal council (41)
- PartyVotevs 2022Seats
- Social Democrats 37.3% −5.0 15
- Moderates 18.6% +4.4 8
- Sweden Democrats 17.2% −1.1 7
- Centre Party 10.1% +2.5 4
- Christian Democrats 7.0% +1.8 3
- Left Party 4.9% +0.1 2
- Green Party 2.7% +0.9 1
- Liberals 2.0% −0.9 1
- Other parties 0.2% 0
Final, certified result. Share of valid votes; change since the 2022 election in percentage points. The eight parties in the Riksdag are always shown, other parties when they won seats. "Other parties" is all remaining parties combined. Source: Swedish Election Authority (Valmyndigheten), official record (Swedish).
Municipal finances
Nature
Neighbouring and similar municipalities
Neighbouring municipalities
The municipalities that border Forshaga.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Kil | 22.4% | SEK 2.2m |
| Karlstad | 21.3% | SEK 3.5m |
| Munkfors | 22.0% | SEK 0.9m |
| Sunne | 21.6% | SEK 1.9m |
| Hagfors | 22.0% | SEK 0.9m |
Similar municipalities
The municipalities in Sweden most like Forshaga, in the scores for the twelve areas and in size.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Rättvik | 21.8% | SEK 2.2m |
| Mönsterås | 22.2% | SEK 1.6m |
| Grums | 22.5% | SEK 1.4m |
| Surahammar | 22.3% | SEK 1.9m |
| Sölvesborg | 21.8% | SEK 2.2m |
Borders from Wikidata. Distance is a straight line between the municipalities' main towns. Tax is the municipal tax rate and house price the average price of a house.
Frequently asked questions about Forshaga
- How many people live in Forshaga?
- Forshaga has 11,439 residents, making it Sweden’s 195th largest municipality out of 290. It is in Värmland County.
- What is the municipal tax rate in Forshaga?
- The municipal tax rate in Forshaga is 22.4%, compared with 20.7% for Sweden as a whole.
- How much does a house cost in Forshaga?
- The average single-family house in Forshaga costs SEK 1.8 million, which is cheaper than the national average (Sweden SEK 3.9 million).
- How far is Forshaga from Karlstad?
- About 17 km in a straight line, to Karlstad, the nearest of Sweden’s 30 largest cities.
- What share of people in Forshaga are self-sufficient?
- 77% of residents aged 20–64 in Forshaga are self-sufficient, meaning an income of at least three income base amounts a year (Sweden 74.4%).
- How many refugees live in Forshaga?
- 361 residents of Forshaga came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee, 3.2% of residents. 60.2% of those aged 20–65 are in work.
- Which party is largest in Forshaga?
- In the 2026 municipal election, the Social Democrats became the largest party in Forshaga with 37.3% of the vote and 15 of 41 seats on the municipal council. Turnout was 85.7%.
- What stands out about Forshaga?
- Forshaga is 7th highest (shared) in Sweden for gigabit broadband coverage (100%).
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