Located in Skåne county in the south of Sweden, Malmö is one of Scandinavia's first heavily industrialised cities which has developed greatly during the past era — especially in terms of infrastructure and architecture. Now a post-industrial, culturally diverse and sustainable destination, Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city. Its population of 333,633 comprises people from over 170 different countries, speaking more than 150 different languages. Thanks to its university, Malmö also attracts a younger crowd: currently almost half of the city’s population is younger than 35 years old. While the diverse environment makes it very easy for expats to navigate the labour market, you should keep in mind the city’s high unemployment rate.
Economy and labour market
Malmö used to be one of Sweden's pioneers when it came to shipbuilding, construction and industrial sectors. However, its economy has evolved over the years, following a local recession period. Nowadays, it is based on new pillars such as technologies, transports, financial services, and pharmaceutics. It has become one of Sweden's biggest magnets for expats, as well as for companies that specialise in biotechnology, medical technology, environmental technology, information and communication technology, digital media, transports, financial services, business, leisure, entertainment, construction, etc.
Constant development in infrastructure and commuting projects, like the Ãresund Bridge which links Sweden to Denmark and the new metro line currently in planning which will connect the city to Copenhagen, also contribute to the local economy. Moreover, Malmö University, founded in 1998, attracts some 24,000 students every year.
Although Malmö keeps growing (for every company that declares bankruptcy, 8 new companies are started each year), finding work will still be a challenge. Malmö has the highest unemployment rate in all of Sweden: 14,&% in 2017.
Job hunting
You are likely to be hired in Malmö even if you don't speak Swedish. Indeed, the local labour market comprises a big part of English-speaking expats. But in all cases, recruiters tend to prefer Swedish-speaking candidates so learning the language can be a considerable advantage.
If you are not yet in Malmö, feel free to start your job search on the Internet. Start by visiting the Arbetsförmedlingen website, which is the Swedish Public Employment Service and remains until today the website with the most visibility when it comes to job search. If you are already in the city, consider dropping by an Arbetsförmedlingen agency where they will provide you with relevant assistance, including programs intended for job seekers. If you're an EU national, then the EURES database and programme is also at your disposal.
Good to know:
Given Malmö's location and its proximity to Denmark, as well as the great commuting options, many people actually find work in Denmark and commute from Malmö daily.
Wages & cost of living
Each field is different, as wages are negotiated by employers and employee unions, and your salary will depend on your position and qualifications. For example, a job at the service or cleaning industry can offer around 16,000-20,000 SEK monthly, whereas jobs that require Bachelor's and Master's degrees like engineering, for instance, can pay even up to 50,000 SEK monthly. The cost of living in Malmö is quite low compared to other areas in Sweden.
Good to know:
You should be aware that any salary amount quoted is before taxes. Taxation in Sweden happens at the base, which means the amount you'll have to pay for taxes will be deducted from your salary every month. So before you make any decisions, it would be wise to calculate how much money you'll actually be left with after taxes. The Statsskuld website has a calculator for you to do exactly that.
Useful links:
Malmo business
Career Builder
Blocket: Jobb
Jobb Safari
Monster
Metro Jobb
Stepstone
Start-up Jobs
Jobbland
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