Söderhamn coat of arms

Schools in Söderhamn municipality

39 active school units in Söderhamn, Gävleborgs län. The three most common school forms: 17 compulsory school, 17 preschool, 16 after-school care (+4 more) (a school can have multiple forms).

Data updated: 7 May 2026. School data covers 2023/24; Kolada data may cover different periods.

Söderhamn has 39 schools with an average merit value of 220.1, which is below the national average. Teacher qualification: 56.7% (below the national average of 73.3%).

39 schools 3,980 pupils 56.7% qualified teachers Declining municipality (-1.6%)

Summary — Söderhamn

Five key insights about the municipality's education system.

Key metrics — Söderhamn municipality

Overview of the municipality's education system.

39 Active schools 32 municipal, 7 independent
3,980 Total pupils 17 compulsory, 2 upper secondary
220.1 Avg merit value yr 9 Skolverket avg, 4 schools (national avg: 228.5)
56.7% Qualified teachers Skolverket avg, all school forms
142,212 SEK/yr Cost per pupil Compulsory school 2025 (national avg: 142,154.8 SEK)
12 Pupils per teacher Compulsory/upper secondary in municipality
1.5 Merit value per 1,000 SEK Cost-effectiveness (peer avg: 1.4)

Söderhamn municipality has 39 schools with an average merit value of 220.1 (national avg 228.5). Teacher qualification is below the national average of 73.3%. Compared to similar municipalities, Söderhamn outperforms its peers.

In-depth statistics

How does Söderhamn compare to its neighbours?
Geographic neighbours ↓ Statistical peers ↓
1/7 Merit value
6/7 Qual. teachers
3/7 Cost/pupil

All 39 schools in Söderhamn

Compare schools
School School forms Provider Pupils Qual. teachers
BERGVIKS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 50 45.7%
Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 After-school care, Compulsory school Söderhamns kommun 260 64.8%
Bergviksskolan åk F-3 After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 60 86.4%
BUSTROLLET AB Preschool Bustrollet AB 60 10.2%
CFL SFI, vårdvux, RO14 Adult education Hälsinglands Utbildningsförbund — —
DIBBER SKÄRGÅRDEN FÖRSKOLA Preschool Dibber Bla AB 19 26.7%
FÖRSKOLAN BROBERG Preschool Söderhamns kommun 91 76.8%
HamnaSkolan Compulsory school Ellithan AB 50 7.6%
KUNGSGÅRDENS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 35 69.7%
LILLBERGETS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 87 74.3%
LJUSNE FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 57 69.9%
MÅRDENS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Pingstförsamlingen I Söderhamn 33 22.2%
MO FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 32 57.2%
Mo skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 70 80.6%
Norrtullskolan åk 7-9 Compulsory school Söderhamns kommun 290 60%
Norrtullskolan åk F-6 After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 130 58.4%
NYMÅLA FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 75 65.9%
PUSSELBITENS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Pusselbitens Förskola AB 84 36.2%
ROSENVALLS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 59 58.4%
Rosenvallskolan After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 130 75.2%
SANDARNE FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 50 50.4%
Sandarne skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 130 42.3%
Särvux, komvux, RO15 Adult education Hälsinglands Utbildningsförbund — —
SKOGSFRÖNAS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Skogsfröna AB 33 26.5%
Söderhamns Friskola och Fritids After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamn Knowledge AB 80 42.5%
Staffangymnasiet RO6 Upper secondary school Hälsinglands Utbildningsförbund 290 68.4%
Staffangymnasiet RO7 Upper secondary school Hälsinglands Utbildningsförbund 430 77.5%
Stenbergaskolan åk 4-9 After-school care, Compulsory school Söderhamns kommun 200 31.3%
Stenbergaskolan åk F-3 After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 60 61.9%
Stenbergaskolan anpassad grundskola Adapted compulsory school, After-school care Söderhamns kommun — —
STENTÄGTENS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 49 76.6%
Stentägtskolan After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 320 63.6%
STRÅTJÄRA FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 18 45.1%
Stråtjära skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 40 14.5%
Stugsunds skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 140 64.9%
TRÖNÖ FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 18 28.5%
Trönö skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 60 38.7%
Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 After-school care, Compulsory school Söderhamns kommun 280 62%
Vågbroskolan åk F-3 After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 110 77.2%

Compulsory school

Results, teachers, costs and student health

220.1 Merit value yr 9 National: 228.5
55.7% Qualified teachers National: 73.3%
142,212 SEK/pupil National: 142,155
63.2% Passing all subjects

Results and grades

Compulsory school results in Söderhamn (2025).

Merit value year 9 (municipal avg, 16 subjects)
220.1 (national avg: 228.5) (county avg: 210.5)
Merit score year 9 B
Source
kolada
Period
2025
Quality
B: Direct from source
Merit value municipal / independent
220.6 / 193
Passing all subjects year 9
63.2%
Passing mathematics
75.2%
Pupil satisfaction year 5
72.8%
Pupil satisfaction year 8
64.1%
Parents with post-secondary education
49.5%

Source: Kolada.

Teachers and personnel

Teacher density and qualification in compulsory schools (2025).

Qualified teachers (compulsory school)
55.7% (national avg: 73.3 %) (county avg: 65.3 %)
Certified teachers B
Source
kolada
Period
2025
Quality
B: Direct from source
Qualification municipal / independent
58.7% / 21.8%
Pupils per teacher
12.1

Source: Kolada.

Show more: staff stability, student health, mother tongue, SALSA, grade distribution

Staff stability

Teacher workforce stability in Söderhamn, measured by the trend in qualified teacher share over time.

Qualified teachers (2025)
55.7% (national avg: 73.3%)
Stability indicator (2020–2025)
↓ Declining (-2.5 pp)
National trend (2020–2025)
↑ Improving (+2.2 pp)
Forecast 2027
≈ 54.7% (linear extrapolation, -0.6 pp/year)

Source: Kolada.

Pupils and providers

Pupil numbers and distribution between municipal and independent schools (2025).

Compulsory school pupils
2,401
Municipal / independent share
94.2% / 5.8%

Source: Kolada.

Costs — compulsory school

Cost per pupil in compulsory school (2025). Includes breakdown for municipal schools.

Cost per pupil (total)
142,212 SEK (national avg: 142,154.8 SEK) (county avg: 151,899.2 SEK)
Municipal school cost
137,044 SEK/pupil
Teaching
78,435 SEK/pupil
Premises
20,423 SEK/pupil
Student health
4,056 SEK/pupil
School meals
9,118 SEK/pupil
Learning tools
9,396 SEK/pupil

Source: Kolada (N15006, N15008–N15014).

Student health and support

Student health resources, accessibility and school safety in Söderhamn.

Student health (compulsory)
4,056 SEK/pupil (national avg: 5,053.2 SEK)
Easy to access help, year 5
61%
Easy to access help, year 8
58.9%
Safety at school
82.3%
Study environment (studiero)
43.7%

Source: Kolada, Skolinspektionen.

Mother tongue and multilingualism

Mother tongue instruction and multilingualism in Söderhamn (2025).

Other mother tongue than Swedish
21.5%
Participating in mother tongue instruction
14.4%
Swedish as a second language
13.2%
Passed mother tongue, year 9
82.5%
Passed SvA, year 9
76.6%
Newly arrived (last 3 years)
1.5%

Source: Skolverket, Kolada.

SALSA — merit value vs prerequisites ⓘModel computedThis value is calculated using a statistical model.This affectsSALSA score (municipality)SALSA is model-based and does not explain the full variation in school outcomes.Read more →Read more about the method →

SALSA compares schools' actual results with model-calculated values based on pupil composition. A positive residual = better results than expected. School year 2024/25. SALSA measures relative performance — not absolute school quality. The model explains approx. 53% of variation.

+5.0 Average residual (merit value) for 4 schools
SALSA score (municipality) ↑ 2020/21 2024/25
2020/21: +0.8 2024/25: +5.0
School Actual Model Residual
Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 244 231 +13.0
Norrtullskolan åk 7-9 227 219 +8.0
Stenbergaskolan åk 4-9 201 201 0.0
Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 208 209 -1.0

Top merit-value schools

Top 4 schools by year-9 merit value.

School Provider Merit value SALSA Qualified teachers Pupils
Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 Söderhamns kommun 244.3 +13.0 62% 280
Norrtullskolan åk 7-9 Söderhamns kommun 226.9 +8.0 60% 290
Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 Söderhamns kommun 208 -1.0 64.8% 260
Stenbergaskolan åk 4-9 Söderhamns kommun 201.2 0.0 31.3% 200

School ranking — Söderhamn

All 4 compulsory schools with merit value, sorted by year-9 merit value. The SALSA residual shows whether a school performs above or below expectations given its pupils' background.

School Merit value SALSA residual Certified teachers Pupils
Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 244.3 +13.0 62% 280
Norrtullskolan åk 7-9 226.9 +8.0 60% 290
Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 208 -1.0 64.8% 260
Stenbergaskolan åk 4-9 201.2 0.0 31.3% 200

SALSA residual shows whether a school performs above or below expectations given pupil background. Positive (green) = better than expected, negative (red) = below expected. Source: Skolverket, 2024/25.

Adapted compulsory school

Key metrics for adapted compulsory school in Söderhamn (2025).

Number of pupils
47
Share of compulsory school pupils
1.8%
Cost per pupil
563,023 SEK/year
Teachers per 100 pupils
5.1

Source: Kolada.

Trends — compulsory school

Development over time (2020–2025).

Merit value yr 9 ↓ -1.8%
2020: 224.2 p 2025: 220.1 p
Qualified teachers ↓ -4.3%
2020: 58.2 % 2025: 55.7 %
Cost per pupil ↑ +24.6%
2020: 114,152 SEK 2025: 142,212 SEK
Number of pupils ↓ -3.3%
2020: 2,482 2025: 2,401
Independent share ↑ +3.6%
2020: 5.6 % 2025: 5.8 %
Pupils per teacher ↑ +0.8%
2020: 12 2025: 12.1
Student health SEK/pupil ↑ +23.8%
2020: 3,275 SEK 2025: 4,056 SEK
Student health yr 5 ↑ +0.7%
2023: 60.6 % 2025: 61 %
Student health yr 8 ↑ +6.7%
2023: 55.2 % 2025: 58.9 %
Safety ↑ +2.7%
2023: 80.1 % 2025: 82.3 %

Safety and study environment

School survey results for schools in Söderhamn

Municipal average — safety and study environment

Average results from the national school survey in Söderhamn, based on 18 schools with survey data.

80.9% Safety (national: 78.3%)
58.4% Study environment (national: 56.2%)

NKI trend over time (Pupils year 8)

Average school satisfaction index (0–10) in Söderhamn municipality, based on at least 3 schools per year. Source: Skolinspektionen — Skolenkäten.

6.2 2023 6.3 2025
Stable (+0.1 on 0–10)

Schools ranked by safety

Schools in Söderhamn sorted by pupils' perceived safety (national school survey). Higher is better.

▲ Highest safety

#1 Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 81% yr 8 #2 Bergviksskolan åk F-3 81% yr 8 #3 HamnaSkolan 81% yr 8

▼ Lowest safety

#18 Söderhamns Friskola och Fritids 80% yr 5 #17 Vågbroskolan åk F-3 81% yr 8 #16 Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 81% yr 8

Safety per school in Söderhamn

Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 81 Bergviksskolan åk F-3 81 HamnaSkolan 81 Mo skola 81 Norrtullskolan åk 7-9 81 Norrtullskolan åk F-6 81 Rosenvallskolan 81 Sandarne skola 81 Stenbergaskolan anpassad grundskola 81 Stenbergaskolan åk 4-9 81 Stenbergaskolan åk F-3 81 Stentägtskolan 81 Stråtjära skola 81 Stugsunds skola 81 Trönö skola 81 Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 81 Vågbroskolan åk F-3 81 Söderhamns Friskola och Fritids 80

National avg safety: 78.3% — green = above national avg, red = below.

Source: Swedish Schools Inspectorate — School Survey

Upper secondary

Results, costs and staff in upper secondary schools

Upper-secondary statistics

Key metrics for upper-secondary schools in Söderhamn (2025).

Upper-secondary pupils
777
Graduating within 3 years
66.1% (national avg: 71.3 %)
University eligibility (3 years)
47.4% (national avg: 57.5 %)
Qualified teachers (upper secondary)
71.4% (national avg: 82 %)
Cost per upper-secondary pupil
156,119 SEK (national avg: 144,058.4 SEK)
Grade points upper secondary (avg)
14.2 (national avg: 14.8)
Pupils per teacher (upper secondary)
9.6
Withdrawn study support
10.6%
Foreign background (upper secondary)
23%
Diploma/certificate within 3 years
75.7%

Source: Kolada.

Trends — upper secondary

Development over time (2020–2025).

Cost upper sec./pupil ↑ +13.7%
2020: 137,348 SEK 2025: 156,119 SEK
Graduating 3 yrs ↑ +2.8%
2020: 64.3 % 2025: 66.1 %
Qualified teachers US ↓ -6.5%
2020: 76.4 % 2025: 71.4 %
Univ. eligibility 3 yrs ↑ +5.6%
2020: 44.9 % 2025: 47.4 %

University connection

Share of upper-secondary students in Söderhamn going on to higher education.

University eligibility (all)
47.4% (national avg: 57.5 %)
Eligibility — academic programmes
89.1% (national avg: 82.4 %)
Eligibility — vocational programmes
25% (national avg: 27.4 %)
Graduating within 3 years
66.1% (national avg: 71.3 %)

Source: Kolada. Directly to university = share starting university the same year as graduation.

Pupil forecast

Population forecast for school-age children in Söderhamn (SCB).

Ages 16–18 (2025)
788
Ages 16–18 (2030)
816 (+3.6%)
Ages 6–15 (2025)
2,719
Ages 6–15 (2030)
2,426 (-10.8%)
Ages 1–5 (2025)
1,043
Total school age (2035)
3,837

Source: SCB population forecast. The forecast indicates future demand pressure.

Preschool and childcare

Preschool, after-school care and pedagogical care

Preschool in Söderhamn

Municipal preschool data. Source: Skolverket's statistics database.

Enrolled children
848
Preschool units
17 (12 municipal, 5 independent)
Share of 1–5 year-olds in preschool
85.5% (national avg: 86.3%)
Children per group
19.3 (national avg: 15)
Children per group (1–3 years)
14.8 (national avg: 12.2)
Children per FTE
5.5 (national avg: 5)
Preschool teacher licence
57.3% (national avg: 48.3%)
Pedagogical higher education
56% (national avg: 48%)

After-school care (fritidshem)

Key metrics for after-school care in Söderhamn (2025).

Cost per child
46,462 SEK/year (national avg: 46,711.8 SEK)
Children in after-school care
1,052
Children per FTE
21.5 (national avg: 21.6)
Staff with pedagogical degree
33.5% (national avg: 36.7 %)
Share of 6–12 year-olds enrolled
59.8% (national avg: 57.9 %)
Share of 6–9 year-olds enrolled
85.4% (national avg: 84.8 %)

Source: Kolada.

Pedagogical care

Key metrics for pedagogical care (family daycare etc.) in Söderhamn (2025).

Children in pedagogical care
15
Share of children 1–5
1.7%
Cost per enrolled child
161,071 SEK/year

Source: Kolada.

Open preschool and family daycare

Open preschool and family daycare in Söderhamn (2025).

Open preschool units
1
Open preschool FTEs
1

Source: Kolada.

Trends — preschool and childcare

Development over time (2020–2025).

After-school SEK/child ↑ +31%
2020: 35,475 SEK 2025: 46,462 SEK
Enrolled after-school ↓ -0.8%
2020: 60.3 % 2025: 59.8 %

Children and youth

Health, economy and support

Children's and youth's health

Health indicators for children and young people in Söderhamn (2024).

Mental health issues, children/youth
10.8%

Source: Kolada (N33820).

Child and youth welfare

Key metrics for child and youth welfare in Söderhamn (2024).

Initiated child investigations
53.7 per 1,000 pop. 0–20
Children placed in care
18.7 per 1,000 pop. 0–20
Net cost child/youth welfare
3,714 SEK/pop. 0–20/year

Source: Kolada (N31801, N31810, N31819).

Show community data (demographics, economy, society)

Demographics and population

Population, households and migration patterns

Demographics

Population data for Söderhamn (2025).

Total population
24,163
Population change
-1.6%
Ages 1–5 (preschool age)
980
Ages 6–15 (compulsory school age)
2,412
Ages 16–18 (upper-secondary age)
797
Higher education 25–64
17%
Foreign-born 20–64
16.3%
16–24 not in work/education
9.2%

Source: Kolada.

Household types

Distribution of household types in Söderhamn (2024).

Single without children
46%
Single with children
5.8%
Couple without children
27.3%
Couple with children
15.2%
Other households
5.6%
Total number of households
12,405

Source: SCB.

Neighboring municipalities

Comparison with the 6 nearest municipalities by geographic distance. Colour coding: better / average / worse than neighbour average (±3%).

Municipality Distance Merit value Qual. teachers Cost/pupil Pupils
Söderhamn you — 220.1 56.7% 142,212 SEK 3,980
Bollnäs 32 km 208.9 65.5% 146,677 SEK 4,681
Ockelbo 45.9 km 204.8 69.2% 183,476 SEK 721
Hudiksvall 50.5 km 212.1 70.5% 138,735 SEK 6,615
Ovanåker 59 km 215.1 77.4% 150,091 SEK 1,916
Gävle 68.4 km 209.2 74.9% 141,361 SEK 19,453
Nordanstig 73.7 km 194.6 54.6% 149,266 SEK 1,237
Neighbour avg. 207.5 68.7% 151,601 SEK 5,771
Merit value year 9
Söderhamn
220.1
Ovanåker
215.1
Hudiksvall
212.1
Gävle
209.2
Bollnäs
208.9
Ockelbo
204.8
Nordanstig
194.6
Qualified teachers
Ovanåker
77.4%
Gävle
74.9%
Hudiksvall
70.5%
Ockelbo
69.2%
Bollnäs
65.5%
Söderhamn
56.7%
Nordanstig
54.6%

Source: Skolverket & Kolada. Municipalities selected by geographic distance.

Refugee reception

Refugee reception in Söderhamn (2025).

Newly arrived received
0.8 per 1,000 pop.
Newly arrived children 0–17
7 per 1,000 pop.
Establishment rate after 2 years
62.3%

Source: Kolada.

Trends — demographics

Demographic development (2020–2025).

Pop. change ↓ +166.7%
2020: -0.6 % 2025: -1.6 %
Youth not in work/edu. ↑ +22.7%
2020: 7.5 % 2024: 9.2 %
Newly arrived ↓ -33.3%
2020: 1.2 2025: 0.8

Economy and housing

Municipal economy, housing and infrastructure

Municipal economy

Economic key metrics for Söderhamn (2025).

Municipal tax rate
21.7%
Total tax rate (municipality+region)
33.2%
Tax base
242,276 SEK/capita
Annual result
2,124 SEK/capita
Result, share of tax+grants
2.6%
Solidity
24%

Source: Kolada.

Economic assistance

Economic assistance (social benefits) in Söderhamn (2024).

Assistance households
6.8 per 1,000 pop.
Young adults 18–24 with assistance
16.7%
Assistance months (avg)
42
Net cost economic assistance
2,763 SEK/capita

Source: Kolada.

Learning tools and digitalisation

Cost of learning tools in Söderhamn. Includes textbooks, computers, software, internet access and other teaching equipment.

Learning tools, compulsory school
9,396 SEK/pupil

Source: Kolada (N15012, N17011). Learning tools incl. IT: computers, software, books, AV equipment etc.

Housing and infrastructure

Housing and infrastructure indicators for Söderhamn.

Overcrowded households (Kolada)
12.9%
Completed dwellings
0.3 per 1,000 pop.
Good public transport
98.3%
Broadband ≥100 Mbit/s
91.8%
Rental
27.4%
Cooperative
9.1%
Owner-occupied
61.6%
Cars in traffic
12,802

Source: Kolada, SCB.

Trends — economy and housing

Economic development (2020–2025).

Municipal tax rate → unchanged
2020: 21.7 % 2025: 21.7 %
Economic assistance ↓ -20.9%
2020: 8.6 2024: 6.8
Overcrowding ↓ -22.3%
2020: 16.6 % 2025: 12.9 %

Society, culture and environment

Safety, culture and sustainability

Crime and safety

Reported crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in Söderhamn (2025).

Reported crimes (total)
12,064 per 100,000 pop.
Violent crimes
1,183 per 100,000 pop.
Burglaries
517 per 100,000 pop.
Drug crimes
1,236 per 100,000 pop.

Source: Kolada. Data from BRA.

LSS and disability services

LSS services in Söderhamn (2025).

LSS cost per capita 0–64
7,600 SEK/year
LSS decisions per 1,000 pop. 0–64
1.1

Source: Kolada.

Work environment and sick leave

Sick leave among municipal employees in Söderhamn (2025). Relevant for understanding teacher recruitment and retention.

Total sick leave
7.2%
Long-term sick leave (>59 days)
42.6% of total
Sick leave <30 years
5.2%
Sick leave 30–49 years
6.9%
Sick leave >49 years
7.7%
Stress-related sick leave
0.7% of population

Source: Kolada (N00090–N00094, N00103).

Culture school

Key metrics for the music and culture school in Söderhamn (2024).

Share of pupils 6–19
13.6%
Number of pupils
510
Average pupil fee
614 SEK/pupil
Cost per capita
443 SEK/capita

Source: Kolada.

Public library

Key metrics for public libraries in Söderhamn (2024).

Loans per capita
4.5 per capita
Children's book loans (0–17)
4.1 per capita
Active borrowers
17.9%
Media allocation
695 SEK/capita

Source: Kolada.

Environment

Environmental indicators for Söderhamn (2023).

CO₂ emissions per capita
4.7 tonnes
Organic food (municipal kitchens)
17.4%

Source: Kolada.

Trends — society and culture

Development in society and culture (2020–2024).

Culture school share ↓ -17.6%
2020: 16.5 % 2024: 13.6 %
Reported crimes ↑ +4.3%
2020: 11,565.5 2025: 12,063.7
Mental health issues (youth) ↑ +30.1%
2020: 8.3 % 2024: 10.8 %
CO₂/capita ↓ -2.1%
2020: 4.8 t 2023: 4.7 t
Broadband 100+ ↑ +27.1%
2020: 72.2 % 2024: 91.8 %
Total sick leave ↓ -27.3%
2020: 9.9 % 2025: 7.2 %
Stress-related cases ↑ +16.7%
2020: 0.6 % 2024: 0.7 %

Trends — adult education

Development in komvux and SFI (2020–2024).

Cost adult edu./pupil ↓ -49.4%
2020: 93,844 SEK 2024: 47,465 SEK

Teacher certification: trend and forecast

Historical trend for the share of qualified teachers in Söderhamn with a forecast based on linear extrapolation.

2020 58.2%
2025 (latest) 55.7%
Forecast 2027 54.7% (linear extrapolation)
County avg 65.3%
National avg 73.3%

Source: Kolada. The forecast is indicative and based on linear regression.

Cost-effectiveness

Comparison between cost per pupil and achieved school results (merit value year 9) in Söderhamn.

Cost per pupil
142,212 SEK · national avg 142,155 SEK
Merit value year 9
220.1 · national avg 228.5
Merit points per 10,000 SEK
1.5 (national avg: 1.6)

Söderhamn achieves fewer merit points per invested krona than the national average.

Source: Kolada. Merit value per cost unit is a simplified measure and should be interpreted considering the municipality's socioeconomic conditions.

Peer municipalities

Compare Söderhamn with statistically similar municipalities

Comparison with peer municipalities

Söderhamn compared with 7 statistically similar municipalities. Colour coding: better / average / worse than peer average (±3%).

Municipality Merit value Qual. teachers Cost/pupil Graduating 3 yrs SALSA score
Söderhamn you 220.1 55.7% 142,212 SEK 66.1% +5.0
Sandviken 209 59.6% 153,355 SEK 65.5% -5.2
Ljusdal 204.8 64% 153,899 SEK 64.3% -10.0
Bollnäs 214.6 67.7% 146,677 SEK 64.6% -7.5
Hofors 210.1 65% 159,919 SEK 65.5% 0.0
Hudiksvall 215.9 69.3% 138,735 SEK 71.1% -8.2
Nordanstig 191.3 55.3% 149,266 SEK 74.4% -16.0
Gävle 218.4 71.9% 141,361 SEK 70.3% -4.5
Peer average 209.2 64.7% 149,030 SEK 68% -7.3

Trends compared with peer municipalities

Merit value yr 9 2020–2025
SandvikenLjusdalBollnäsHoforsHudiksvall
Qualified teachers 2020–2025
SandvikenLjusdalBollnäsHoforsHudiksvall
Cost/pupil 2020–2025
SandvikenLjusdalBollnäsHoforsHudiksvall
Graduating 3 yrs 2020–2025
SandvikenLjusdalBollnäsHoforsHudiksvall

Source: Kolada. Municipalities selected based on similar education key metrics within Gävleborgs län.

Similar municipalities (SCB group)

Municipalities in the same SCB classification group: Rural municipality

Benchmark vs SCB group C8

Söderhamn belongs to SCB municipality group C8 — Rural municipality: municipality with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants in the largest urban area and low commuting. Here is how Söderhamn compares to the 40 municipalities in the group.

Söderhamn vs SCB group C8 — percentile position Merit valueQualified teachersStudents/teacherCost/pupilGraduating 3 yrsAll subjects passed
Söderhamn Group median
Merit value 220.1 (median: 208.2)
84th
Qualified teachers 55.7 (median: 62.9)
24th
Students/teacher 12.1 (median: 10.1)
4th
Cost/pupil 142211.5 (median: 161846.7)
94th
Graduating 3 yrs 66.1 (median: 68.4)
34th
All subjects passed 63.2 (median: 66.3)
34th
✅ Above group median for merit value
✅ Above group median for cost/pupil
ℹ️ Below group median for qualified teachers
ℹ️ Below group median for students/teacher

Municipalities in the same SCB group

Söderhamn belongs to SCB municipality group C8 — Rural municipality: municipality with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants in the largest urban area and low commuting. 40 municipalities in total. Showing 8 below.

Municipality Merit value Qualified teachers Cost/pupil Graduating 3 yrs
Söderhamn 220.1 55.7% 142,212 SEK 66.1%
Arvidsjaur 213 67.7% 150,409 SEK 78.4%
Arvika 213.8 73% 158,016 SEK 71.9%
Bengtsfors 213.2 70.8% 174,380 SEK 73%
Bollnäs 214.6 67.7% 146,677 SEK 64.6%
Dals-Ed 225.9 82.1% 170,292 SEK 73.7%
Dorotea 233.7 60.7% 220,403 SEK 81.5%
Filipstad 208.9 65.1% 154,997 SEK 60%
Gislaved 208.3 66.5% 144,536 SEK 57.6%

Source: SCB municipality classification (2017) and Kolada. Compare with more municipalities using the Benchmark tool

Common questions about schools in Söderhamn

How many schools are there in Söderhamn?
Söderhamn municipality has 39 active school units: 17 compulsory schools and 2 upper-secondary schools. Of these, 32 are municipal and 7 are independent. A total of 3,980 pupils attend schools in Söderhamn.
What are the merit values in Söderhamn?
The average year-9 merit value in Söderhamn is 220.1 points (based on 4 schools). The highest merit value belongs to Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 with 244.3 points.
Which school in Söderhamn has the highest teacher qualification rate?
Bergviksskolan åk F-3 has the highest share of qualified teachers in Söderhamn at 86.4%. The municipal average is 56.7%.
How much does a school place cost in Söderhamn?
The cost per pupil in compulsory school in Söderhamn is 142,212 SEK per year (2025). In municipal schools the cost is 137,044 SEK per pupil.
How do student health services work in Söderhamn?
Student health services in Söderhamn cost 4,056 SEK per pupil (2025). 61% of year 5 pupils find it easy to access student health services. The figure for year 8 is 58.9%.

Statistics: school year 2023/24. Source: Skolverket, SCB, Kolada. Glossary · About the data.
— = data not available from source.

National comparison

See how Söderhamn municipality compares in a national perspective.

Municipality map — colour by merit value, teacher certification, etc. Municipality ranking — where does Söderhamn place? SALSA map — does the municipality perform above or below expectations? Cost-effectiveness — cost per pupil vs. school results

Timeline — school events in Söderhamn

  1. BUSTROLLET AB: Renamed from Förskola 797415 to BUSTROLLET AB

  2. DIBBER SKÄRGÅRDEN FÖRSKOLA: Renamed from Förskola 710629 to DIBBER SKÄRGÅRDEN FÖRSKOLA

  3. BUSTROLLET AB: Renamed from BUSTROLLET AB to Förskola 797415

  4. DIBBER SKÄRGÅRDEN FÖRSKOLA: Renamed from DIBBER SKÄRGÅRDEN FÖRSKOLA to Förskola 710629

Related

Move from the municipality page to the county, nearby municipalities, and the statistics views that help explain the local pattern.

Gävleborgs länOpen the county page for a broader regional view around Söderhamn.Merit value year 9Compare Söderhamn with other municipalities on merit values.Upper secondary schoolsSee how upper-secondary provision and outcomes vary between municipalities.Teacher certification by countyFollow teacher qualification and regional differences.Municipality profileCompare municipality profiles across multiple dimensions at once.BollnäsCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.GävleCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.HoforsCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.HudiksvallCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.LjusdalCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.

Explore further

Story The teacher's impact What remains when we control for pupil background? Deep analysis Cost-effectiveness Which municipalities deliver the most for their money? Theme Results & grades All visualisations about school results

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