boendekostnadsbörda

Boendekostnadsbörda is a Swedish term that describes the share of a household’s income that is spent on housing costs. The concept includes rent, mortgage payments, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and any other costs associated with owning or renting a dwelling. It is a key indicator used by policy makers and researchers to assess housing affordability and the financial well-being of residents.

In Sweden, the average boendekostnadsbörda has fluctuated over recent decades. Before the 1990s, a large portion of the population lived in council housing and the average share of income on housing was relatively low. Since the rise of private housing and increased mortgage debt, the proportion has steadily risen, especially in major cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Recent statistics from Statistics Sweden indicate that in 2023 the median boendekostnadsbörda for families with children was about 32% of disposable income, while for single homeowners it was close to 35%. In comparison, the threshold often cited by housing associations for affordability is 20–25%.

High boendekostnadsbörda can lead to financial strain, reduced consumption and challenges in meeting other basic needs. Therefore, the Swedish government has implemented measures to curb rising housing costs, such as interest‑rate adjustments, rent controls for social housing, and incentives for green retrofits. Local municipalities also offer subsidies and down‑payment assistance to ease the burden for first‑time buyers.

The concept is closely linked to other European affordability studies. In a 2022 OECD report, Sweden was positioned among the countries with moderate housing cost burdens, but the trend toward increasing shares of income on housing remains a concern for many policy makers.