Municipality

Ljungby Municipality – facts, statistics and insights

Ljungby Municipality, located in the heart of Småland, is known for its extensive forests, lake-rich landscapes, and active business environment. Combining small-town charm with good transportation links, Ljungby attracts entrepreneurs, families with children, and nature lovers. Tradition and progress go hand in hand here, giving the municipality a unique character – and this is reflected in everything from demographic trends to municipal services and the labor market.

Population and demographics

Ljungby has a population approaching 29,000 residents, with the town of Ljungby serving as the hub of the municipality. The population structure is relatively even, with both young families and an increasing proportion of seniors. This influences both the range of services offered and the welfare needs. Residents live spread out in smaller communities, villages, and rural areas, which gives the municipality a strong local identity and proximity to nature. In recent years, the influx of new residents has been relatively stable, and Ljungby has managed to maintain good growth despite challenges such as urbanization and competition from larger cities.

Tax, welfare, and municipal services

The municipal tax rate in Ljungby is 21.07%, with a regional tax of 12%. Additionally, there is a funeral fee of 0.29%, and members of the Church of Sweden pay a church fee of 1.46%. The total tax burden, excluding church fee, is thus 33.07% – a level quite typical for rural municipalities in Sweden.

Tax revenues are used to fund schools, elderly care, childcare, culture, leisure, and infrastructure. Ljungby emphasizes proximity in welfare services: schools and preschools are found in most localities, and elderly care features small-scale accommodations. At the same time, it is a challenge to provide equal service across the entire municipality, especially when distances are large and populations are sparser outside the town center.

Economy and labor market

Ljungby’s business sector is characterized by small and medium-sized enterprises, with manufacturing and green industries having strong roots. Several internationally active companies are based here, providing a stable labor market and relatively low unemployment. The municipality actively works to attract new establishments and support entrepreneurship, especially within tech, logistics, and cleantech. It is also important to create jobs for young people and newcomers – something that requires innovation and collaboration between the municipality, businesses, and educational institutions.

• Strong tradition of entrepreneurship
• Wide range of industrial and service sector jobs
• Investments in sustainability and new technology

Education and business

Ljungby offers a comprehensive range of schools, from preschools to high schools and adult education. Sunnerbo High School is the municipality’s major educational hub, with both university preparatory and vocational programs. There are also close collaborations with local businesses to ensure that education matches labor market needs – for example, through internships and local trainee programs. The municipality also invests in digitalization in schools and has several projects to stimulate interest in technology among young people.

Geography and attractions

Ljungby is a municipality where nature is always close. Here, there are over a thousand lakes, deep forests, and several nature reserves that attract both residents and visitors. The Lagan Valley, the Saga Museum, and Ljungby Old Town are just a few of the places that put the municipality on the map. Every summer, the Saga Storytelling Festival is held – a tribute to the Småland storytelling tradition. For those who want to live close to nature but still have access to a vibrant town center, Ljungby is hard to beat.

• Great opportunities for outdoor activities and fishing
• Cultural experiences rooted locally
• Good transportation links along E4 and Route 25

FAQ about Ljungby Municipality

• What is the municipal tax rate in Ljungby?
  The municipal tax rate is 21.07%, and the total tax burden excluding church fee is 33.07%.
• What is Ljungby known for?
  Ljungby is known for its rich natural life, storytelling tradition, and an active business sector in industry and entrepreneurship.
• What does the labor market look like?
  The labor market is stable, with strong elements of industry, services, and green sectors.
• What are the biggest challenges for the municipality?
  Providing equal service throughout the municipality and attracting young people to move in are recurring challenges.