Sweden Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in sweden, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Select Country Guide
Medical Equipment
Last published date:

Overview

Sweden’s healthcare system is one of the most well-developed in the world.  Sweden spends about 11,3 percent of its GDP (2021) on health and medical services, which is on par with most other European countries.  Healthcare spending per capita is high in Sweden, around $6,400 (OECD, 2022).  The infant mortality rate is low, around two deaths per 1,000 in the first year of life, and the average life expectancy is 81 years for men and 85 years for women.

The Swedish health care system is decentralized.  Three political and administrative bodies share the responsibility for health care in Sweden: the central government, the regions, and the municipalities.  The 21 regions have the responsibility to provide health and medical services and to promote a good standard of health among the population.  The regions decide on the allocation of resources to the health services and are responsible for the overall planning of the services offered.  The regions own and operate the hospitals, health centers, and other institutions.  The 290 municipalities are responsible for operating the nursing homes, as well as providing care to the elderly and the disabled.  Sixteen percent of total health care costs are sub-contracted to private health care providers, primary care centers and homes for the elderly.  Sweden has 80 hospitals, eight of which are regional hospitals offering highly specialized care and where most teaching and research is based.  There are a few hospitals that are managed by private entrepreneurs.

In 2023, Newsweek magazine included five Swedish hospitals in their top 250 best hospitals in the world ranking:  Karolinska Hospital (No. 6), Sahlgrenska Hospital (No. 84), Akademiska Hospital (No. 85), Skane University Hospital (No. 159), Linkoping University Hospital (No. 176) and Norrlands University Hospital (No. 194).

According to Fitch Solutions, the Swedish market for medical equipment was estimated at $2.7 billion in 2022, with the Covid-19 pandemic boosting the need for consumables, patient aids and diagnostic imaging equipment.  The United States is the sixth most important supplier of medical devices.  Other major players include the Netherlands and Germany. 

U.S. firms interested in entering the Swedish market will find that the market is competitive and, therefore, should establish a local presence, either through local agents and distributors or sales subsidiaries.

Leading Sub-Sectors

• Home healthcare – equipment and supplies

• Orthopedic and prosthetic equipment

• Non-invasive surgical equipment

Opportunities

The local healthcare industry is receptive to innovative technologies effective at treating and mitigating chronic and age-related diseases.  There is an ongoing, strong demand for diabetes products, orthopedic and implantable devices, minimally-/non-invasive equipment, and user-friendly home care devices.

An aging population is fueling demand for healthcare services, which is an opportunity for U.S. companies.  In 2022, 20.4 percent of Sweden’s population was 65 or older.  This is up from 13.7 percent in 1970.  The expanding elderly population is one of the growth drivers in the market.  This, alongside the rise of chronic disease, the increased focus on preventive care, and the desire to remain a leader in technological innovation, are opportunities within this market sector.  Artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise and a newly established AI Innovation Centre will drive the development of the Swedish AI ecosystem, including the use of AI in healthcare.

Resources

National Agency for Public Procurement

National Board of Health and Welfare

Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions

Swedish Medtech

 

Local Commercial Specialist: Johan Bjorkman, Johan.Bjorkman@trade.gov

×

Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

Privacy Program | Information Quality Guidelines | Accessibility