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Environmental information systems
Sweden is the 3rd largest country in the EU, with a terrestrial area of close to 450,000km² and a marine area over 155,000km². Occupying the eastern part of the Scandinavian peninsula, it has a long coastline, the border with Norway is mountainous, and has a number of large lakes. It is bordered by 2 other countries. The highest point is Kebnekaise at 2,104m. Sweden has a population of 10.4 million people and a population density of 25 people per km².
of land
is covered
by protected areas
of marine waters
is covered
by protected areas
species
are protected
under EU law
habitats
are protected
under EU law
Sources: Terrestrial protected area coverage by country and in the EU-27 by the end of 2023, Marine protected areas in Europe's seas (2023), Conservation status of habitat types and species: datasets from Article 17, Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC reporting (2013-2018).
In 2023, of terrestrial area of is designated as protected areas, falling below the EU value of 26.4%. With a coverage of in its marine waters, surpasses the EU value of 13.7%.
The data sources and related statistics refer to 2023, therefore aligned with the EEA indicators: Designated terrestrial protected areas in Europe, Natura 2000 sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, Marine protected areas in Europe's seas.
Percentage of area covered by protected areas
Evolution of area covered by protected areas
From 2012 to 2023 the share of terrestrial protected areas in increased by 1.2%, slightly below the EU value increase of 1.8%.
National marine protected areas coverage trends are not available because methodological changes prevent a consistent comparison across years.
The EU Biodiversity Strategy has set a target of reaching 30% protected area coverage at the EU level by 2030.
If you want to know more about the Biodiversity Strategy, you can explore the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and in particular the Dashboard section showing progress of the EU and its Member States towards the Biodiversity Strategy targets set for 2030.
Distribution of protected areas between national designations and Natura 2000
In , the majority of the terrestrial protected areas are designated as Natura 2000 sites. The marine protected areas network in largely consists of Natura 2000 sites, with a small portion of the network covered solely by nationally designated areas.
Spatial distribution of protected areas network
Protected areas designated under national laws
Designated sites in the Natura 2000 network
Size distribution of protected areas network
The majority of terrestrial protected areas in (85%) are smaller than 1km2, which represents a higher proportion of small protected areas than on average in the EU. 12% of terrestrial sites are 1-10km2 and further 2% 10-100km2. The majority of marine protected areas in are also smaller than 1km2.
A focus on Natura 2000 sites in
has a total of Natura 2000 sites, they are designated under the Birds Directive, encompassing Special Protection Areas (SPA), and the Habitats Directive, encompassing Sites of Community Importance (SCI). Many sites are designated under both Directives.
Species protected in under EU law fall under the Habitats and Birds Directives. hosts protected under the Habitats Directive, which is approximately 12% of the total of the Habitats Directive’s species and protected birds, which is approximately 58% of the species protected under the Birds Directive.
The figures are based on data electronically reported by the Member States under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) on the conservation status of habitat types and species for the 2013–2018 reporting period.
species protected under EU law
species under the Habitats Directive
species under the Birds Directive
Conservation Status of species: Habitats Directive
In , of species assessments indicate a good conservation status, considerably above the EU average corresponding to 27.5%. The proportion of assessments indicating bad conservation status is reaching , compared to the EU average of 20.6%.
Protected species composition by taxonomic group
In , the distribution of protected species across taxonomic groups highlights the prominence of birds, comprising the largest proportion at 61.9%. They are followed by vascular plants, accounting for 10.1% of protected species, and mammals, representing 8%.
Conservation Status by Taxa
In , the assessment of species groups reveals that vascular plants have the highest proportion of species with a good conservation status, standing at 62.3%. Following closely behind are mammals, with 59.7% and non-vascular plants with 48.5% of species in good conservation status. On the other hand, reptiles exhibit the highest percentage of species with a bad conservation status, reaching 100%; arthropods also have a significant proportion of species in bad conservation status at 64%.
Habitats protected in under EU law fall under the Habitats Directive. hosts habitat types, which is approximately 38.2% of the total of habitat types protected by the Habitats Directive.
The figures are based on data electronically reported by the Member States under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) on the conservation status of habitat types and species for the 2013–2018 reporting period.
habitats protected under EU law in
Conservation status of habitats
In , 22.6% of habitats assessments indicate a good conservation status which is above the EU average of 14.7%. On the other hand, the proportion of assessments indicating a bad conservation status, amounting to 54.3%, is surpassing the EU average of 35.8%.
Protected habitat composition by group
In , the group of protected habitats with the largest number consists of coastal and salt-tolerant habitats, encompassing 19.1% of the total. Following behind are forests, with 17.9% and bogs, mires and fens with 12.3% of the protected habitats.
Conservation status by group
In , the assessment of habitat groups reveals that rocky habitats have the highest proportion of good conservation status, standing at 63.1%. Following behind are heath and scrub, with 50% of habitat types in good conservation status. On the other hand, sclerophyllous scrub exhibit the highest percentage of habitat types with a bad conservation status, reaching 100%; dune habitats also have a significant proportion of habitat types in bad conservation status at 88.8%, and grasslands at 81.2%.
Sweden is predominantly characterised by forest ecosystems covering 67.7% of the country. However, Sweden has relatively smaller proportions of agroecosystems (9.3%), rivers and lakes (8.6%), heathland ecosystems (7.7%), wetlands (5.4%), and urban areas (1.5%).
The figures are based on the dataset "Ecosystem types of Europe 2012 - Full map (marine and terrestrial habitats) - version 3 revision 1, Feb. 2019".
In terms of the protected area network, forests constitute the largest portion, covering 56% of the protected areas. Agroecosystems make up 32% of the protected areas, reflecting the importance of conserving and managing agricultural landscapes for biodiversity. Urban areas account for 4.8% of the protected areas, emphasizing the significance of protecting nature within urban environments. Heathlands contribute to 3.3% of the protected areas, while rivers and lakes represent 2.1%, and wetlands comprise 1.8%.