Sweden Sees 1.5% Rise in Construction Starts in January 2026

Construction starts in Sweden experienced a 1.5 percent increase in January 2026 compared to December, signaling a positive shift in building activity according to data from Prognoscentret. Residential construction had a modest growth of 0.3 percent, while other construction types surged by 2.2 percent, contributing to the overall increase.

Over the past year, the building start indicator has climbed over 21 percent, reflecting rising investment levels in the Swedish economy. Senior economist Ludvig Uggla highlighted that although building starts are up, residential construction remains sluggish with ongoing regional variations. A recovery phase at the end of 2025 appears to have faded, but upcoming projects springing up this year could further drive construction activity.

The measurement covers new production projects excluding facilities and infrastructure, emphasizing a broad-based improvement across construction sectors. This trend suggests cautious optimism for Sweden's construction market and wider economic investment patterns in early 2026.