Support for services and infrastructure in Swedish rural areas: a follow-up based on 2014-2022 RDP support data

• How much of the support budget has been granted and paid to beneficiaries?
• What types of investments has the aid been used for?
• Where in Sweden have the investments been made?
• What proportion of the rural population has benefited from the respective support?

Two of the European Commission's Common Evaluation Questions (CEQ) 17 and 18 are also answered by answering the questions.

Some data are excluded to achieve the highest possible quality in the calculations. For example, future final payment amounts are excluded, as these may differ from granted amounts. The four investment subsidies have benefited about 30% of the 2.2 million inhabitants of rural areas. The target is for 36% to help, and thus the goal has not been reached. However, it is still possible to get the target once all aid has been disbursed. Broadband support has benefited about 2% of the rural population. The target is that approximately 4.9% will benefit. It will also likely not be reached once all aid has been disbursed. SEK 4.6 billion has been granted in broadband support, of which 64% has been paid out. Most aid has been granted in northern Sweden, particularly in Norrbotten County. Most support has gone to counties where 20-50% of the population lives in rural areas. Most investment support has gone to services and leisure in rural areas, such as grocery stores. Approximately 24% of the aid for broadband has been granted in southern Sweden, particularly in Västra Götaland County and Skåne County. The main beneficiaries of the aid were companies, which accounted for 67% of the aid granted. However, businesses and associations have benefited about as many people in rural areas.