Swedish municipalities are facing major challenges for the future. An ageing population implies an increased demand for care services. At the same time, a decreasing number of people of working age will have to provide for an increasing number of people who do not work. Furthermore, Sweden has undergone a significant process of urbanization that has led to substantially different conditions for urban and rural municipalities. In addition, Sweden has received a large number of refugees, many of whom are young, which entails challenges for the education sector.