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Life Science

Life science is a growth industry and a significant export engine for Sweden. Thanks to the innovation-driven business sector and strong ties to academia in the Stockholm-Uppsala region, there is great potential to become one of the world’s leading and most sought-after regions for innovation in life science.

Stockholm Science City Foundation follows the definition in the Swedish government's life science strategy:

The life science sector includes the companies, universities and colleges, and public actors at the municipal, regional, and national levels that contribute to promoting human health through their activities. The sector encompasses research, higher education and innovation, development of medicines, medical devices, and treatments, as well as prevention, implementation, and follow-up.

Link to the government's Sweden’s national life sciences strategy >>

Link to Region Stockholm's Life Sciences Strategy for the Stockholm region >>

In the fact boxes below, you’ll find:

Life science in Sweden – a national overview
Life science in Stockholm/Uppsala – a regional overview
Life science in Hagastaden – a local overview
Hagastaden 2025 – in approximate figures

Life science in Sweden – a national overview

3,838 life science companies were active in Sweden in 2022.
52,405 people worked in the industry in 2022.
9.5% of Sweden’s goods exports came from life science companies in 2022.
The industry exported goods worth SEK 186.4 billion in 2022.
There was a 60% increase in the number of companies between 2009 and 2022.

Source: Vinnova – Sweden’s innovation agency, “Statistics on Swedish Life Science Companies”, Annual government‑mandated reporting N2021/02243, version October 2024.

Life science in Stockholm/Uppsala – a regional overview

2,010 life science companies were active in Stockholm/Uppsala in 2023, of which 1,473 had revenue above zero.
37,673 people were employed in the industry in Stockholm/Uppsala in 2023.
Life science companies in the region generated SEK 563 billion in revenue in 2023.
About one-third of AstraZeneca’s sales value comes from Södertälje, which equates to 68% of Sweden’s pharmaceuticals export and around 5% of the country’s total goods exports.
15 government agencies and industry organizations.
5 universities focused on health, healthcare, and technology.
5 university hospitals.

Sources:
Points 1–3: STUNS Insight Machine, regional data by Stockholm Science City (companies based in Stockholm and Uppsala counties).
Point 4: Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (2025).
Points 5–7: STUNS life science (2024).

Life Science in Hagastaden – Local Overview

185 life science companies operating in Hagastaden by 2025.
2,899 people employed in the sector in Hagastaden in 2023.
SEK 24 billion in revenue generated by life science companies in Hagastaden in 2023.
> 200 % increase in the number of life science companies between 2009 and 2025.

Source: STUNS Insight Machine, regional data processed by Stockholm Science City.
(Applies to companies headquartered in Hagastaden. The 2025 figure also includes companies registered elsewhere but with offices in Hagastaden.)