Fast track of Umea

Umea is one of the newest and fastest growing cities in Sweden. The average age of the 110.000 people who live in Umea is 37. Efforts are also made to develop Umea even more - the goal is to pass the 150.000 figure before 2050.

The city offers world-class art, drama, films, industries, music and research. It aims to attract more companies, break new construction records and, not least, become the cultural capital for 2014. Umea has been expanding for several decades. Growth really speeded up in 1965, the same year that the university opened up its doors. Obviously, there is a connection. Education provides skills, which attracts companies that in turn, attract more people. In the last 30 years, housing in Umea has doubled and this rate of growth continues. 700 to 800 new apartments are constructed each year Umea university gives priority to and is keen to develop many different areas of research. These include life sciences (especially medical and cell and the molecular biology of plants), human technology interaction, social welfare, ecology and gender perspectives. The Umea University works collaboratively with companies such as ABB, Volvo, Skanska, Ericsson, and Ohrlings Pricewaterhouse-Coopers. And there is going to be more - says Christina Skogsberg, one of the heads of Umea University´s new Centre for Business and Society.

Another center for world class research is the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umea. Take for instance the Umea Plant Science Center. The cooperation between this university and the Umea University, carries research into tree genes which can lead to a whole new forest industry.
Six reasons for setting up business in our city are: high level of education, skilled labour, few traffic jams, closeness to everything and plenty of leisure opportunities. Add to this a growth rate of 2,4 per cent and you have several reasons why the city attracts both new entrepreneurs and well-known companies.