Talent demand is growing, but Skåne companies rely more heavily on external expertise
Skåne companies are optimistic about workforce growth, but the region’s high share of small and early-stage companies means that specialised external expertise plays a particularly important role.
Some facts to prove it:
- 46% of Skåne respondents expanded their internal workforce in 2025, while 23% reduced it.
- Looking ahead, 61% expect to increase their internal workforce in 2026, slightly higher than 57% in the rest of Sweden.
- 61% of Skåne respondents engage consultants across at least several areas, compared with 46% nationally.
- Among micro-sized companies, 91% report using external consultants.
The "Skåne Life Science Barometer 2026" is a regional deepdive into southern Sweden’s life science sector, based on the national edition, the "2026 Life Science Barometer", providing a data-driven snapshot of the Swedish life science industry — a sector that accounts for around 10% of Sweden’s product exports, making it the country’s second-largest export sector and a key driver of innovation and economic growth. The national edition is produced by SwedenBIO in cooperation with Medicon Village Innovation, Sahlgrenska Science Park, Stockholm Science City Foundation, STUNS Life Science and Citeline.