länets

Länet is the Swedish term for the county, a second-level administrative division of Sweden. In English, länets is the possessive form meaning “the county’s.” Sweden is divided into 21 counties (län) that together with the municipalities (kommuner) form the country’s local and regional governance system. Each county comprises several municipalities and is a distinct geographic and administrative unit.

The governance of a county rests on two main pillars. The County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) is a national-government agency appointed to represent state authorities at the county level, implement national policy, coordinate public administration, and supervise regional matters. The county council or regional council is an elected body responsible for regional affairs such as healthcare, dental care, and public transport, as well as culture and regional development. The governor (landshövding) heads the Länsstyrelsen, while the county council is led by an executive committee or chairperson and is elected for four-year terms.

Functions and responsibilities of the county include coordinating services across municipalities, managing planning and infrastructure to support regional growth, and representing the county in national and European programs. While healthcare and transport are central duties of the county council, many counties have restructured these tasks into larger regional bodies known as regions, though the legal nomenclature of län and landsting/region may vary.

Historically, the county system in Sweden dates back to 1634, established under Axel Oxenstierna. Over time, borders have been adjusted and responsibilities refined, with reforms in recent decades emphasizing regional cooperation and integration with municipalities. Counties continue to serve as important layers of governance, balancing local autonomy with national policy implementation.