kommuners

Kommuner (singular: kommun) are the local self-governing administrative units in Sweden. They are responsible for a broad range of local matters and deliver essential services to residents and businesses. There are 290 municipalities in Sweden.

Governance and scope: Each kommun is governed by a municipal council (kommunfullmäktige) elected every four years. The council appoints a municipal executive board (kommunstyrelse) to handle day-to-day administration, and in larger municipalities the leadership may be described by the title of kommunalråd. Municipalities work within the framework of national laws and coordinate with the county level on regional issues. They participate in Sweden’s national association for municipalities and regions, Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner (SKR), which represents their interests and facilitates collaboration.

Responsibilities: Municipalities manage many local services, including early childhood education and care, compulsory schooling, social services, housing and urban planning, water supply and wastewater, waste management, culture and recreation, and local infrastructure. They also handle local permits, zoning decisions, and support for local businesses. Education and care services are administered locally, while national standards and funding come from the state.

Financing: Municipal financing comes mainly from local income taxes and charges for services, supplemented by grants from the central government and, in some cases, county councils. Tax rates and budgets vary between municipalities according to local needs and policy choices.

Characteristics: Municipalities vary widely in size and character, from large urban areas to sparsely populated rural communities. They operate autonomously within national legislation and cooperate with counties on regional issues such as healthcare and infrastructure planning.