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Municipal services under threat

When municipalities have less money, politicians must prioritise. In Drammen municipality in Norway, they suggested closing several schools. That created fierce protests among residents. Photo: Line Scheistrøen.

Nordic Municipalities

Finland 

  • There are 307 municipalities in Finland, 108 of which are classified as cities. 
  • The most populous and densely populated municipality is the capital, Helsinki, with approximately 664,028 residents. 
  • The smallest mainland municipality is Luhanka, with 692 residents, while the smallest city is Kaskö (Kaskinen), with around 1,256 residents. 
  • In the Åland region, the smallest municipality is Sottunga, with around 100 residents.


Denmark 

  • Denmark has 98 municipalities. 
  • The largest in terms of population is Copenhagen Municipality, with 660,000 residents. 
  • The smallest is Læsø Municipality, an island between Frederikshavn and Gothenburg, with just 1,793 residents.


Norway 

  • There are 357 municipalities in Norway (as of 1 January 2024). 
  • Oslo is the largest, with a population of 717,710 (2024). 
  • The smallest is Utsira, with just 217 residents (2024).


Iceland 

  • Iceland has 62 municipalities. 
  • The largest is Reykjavík, with 138,772 residents. 
  • The smallest is Tjörneshreppur, with 53 residents.


Sweden  

  • Sweden has 290 municipalities. 
  • The largest is Stockholm, with 955,574 residents (2024). 
  • The smallest is Dorotea, with a population of 2,294 (2024).
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