Housing and homelessness
Between 2021 and 2025, an average of approximately 2,200 new homes were completed each year in Malmö. During the same period, the population grew by an average of approximately 3,200 people per year. Housing construction has therefore declined compared with previous years, while Malmö’s population has continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace than before.
Housing
Housing construction in Malmö has declined following several years of high production levels. Between 2018 and 2023, an average of more than 3,000 homes were completed each year. Since then, construction has slowed, and the number of completed homes decreased in 2024 and 2025.
At the end of 2025, Malmö had just over 180,000 homes. Continued housing construction is important to meet the needs of the population and households, while ensuring access to affordable housing remains an ongoing challenge.
Need for housing
The conditions for housing construction and the housing market have changed since 2022. A weaker economic climate, higher interest rates and rising construction costs have contributed to a sharp slowdown in housing construction. Following a period of high production levels, the number of completed homes has declined, while housing starts have remained low. Preliminary figures indicate signs of a modest recovery in housing starts during 2025.
At the same time, the need for housing in Malmö remains. A key challenge is ensuring that the housing supply meets the diverse needs and financial circumstances of different households. Although newly built homes are available on the market, access to housing at affordable costs remains an important issue. Malmö City’s Housing Supply Programme for 2026–2030 therefore emphasises the need for a long-term and socially sustainable approach to housing provision.
Homelessness
According to the City of Malmö’s homelessness survey conducted in October 2025, 1,470 adults in Malmö were experiencing homelessness. This represents an increase of 190 people compared with the same period in the previous year. The number of children experiencing homelessness was 328, an increase of 30 children compared with 2024.
Social homelessness includes people with substance abuse problems and/or mental health issues, who often require support from social services (872 people). Structural homelessness, meaning that a person lacks their own housing due to financial difficulties, housing shortages, high rents and similar factors, affects 598 people.