Key findings
The school survey asks grade 8 students whether they are satisfied with their school. Kolada compiles municipalities' average satisfaction responses alongside merit value data. A positive correlation (r = 0.30) means that municipalities with satisfied students tend to have higher merit values — but the relationship is weak enough that the exceptions are as interesting as the rule.
Quadrant analysis
Medians are used as boundaries: satisfaction ≥ 58.7 % = "satisfied", merit value ≥ 217.3 points = "high". This gives four groups:
Satisfied students — below-median results
These municipalities have students who thrive (satisfaction ≥ 58.7 %) but merit value below the median (217.3 points). This may be due to demographic factors, but could also reflect schools that prioritise well-being over grade chasing.
| Municipality | Satisfaction grade 8 (%) | Merit value |
|---|---|---|
| Mariestad | 77.2 | 204.4 |
| Ljusnarsberg | 75.0 | 188.8 |
| Skinnskatteberg | 74.2 | 203.3 |
| Tidaholm | 71.6 | 208.0 |
| Hylte | 70.7 | 199.0 |
| Nyköping | 69.6 | 216.7 |
| Nordanstig | 69.1 | 191.3 |
| Säffle | 68.6 | 206.7 |
High grades — below-median satisfaction
These municipalities have high merit values (≥ 217.3 points) but student satisfaction below the median (58.7 %). This raises the question of whether a focus on results comes at the expense of student well-being.
| Municipality | Merit value | Satisfaction grade 8 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Storfors | 262.3 | 55.5 |
| Vellinge | 254.4 | 53.4 |
| Sundbyberg | 251.9 | 52.1 |
| Ekerö | 247.2 | 58.7 |
| Solna | 245.6 | 45.0 |
| Svedala | 237.3 | 47.2 |
| Dorotea | 233.7 | 50.0 |
| Partille | 233.6 | 53.1 |
Municipalities with highest student satisfaction (top 10)
| # | Municipality | Satisfaction grade 8 (%) | Merit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ydre | 83.3 | 234.6 |
| 2 | Vaxholm | 79.2 | 263.1 |
| 3 | Ystad | 78.6 | 238.7 |
| 4 | Lidköping | 78.1 | 217.4 |
| 5 | Danderyd | 77.6 | 278.9 |
| 6 | Mariestad | 77.2 | 204.4 |
| 7 | Lomma | 75.9 | 269.7 |
| 8 | Dals-Ed | 75.5 | 225.9 |
| 9 | Nacka | 75.3 | 264.1 |
| 10 | Ljusnarsberg | 75.0 | 188.8 |
Municipalities with lowest student satisfaction (bottom 10)
| # | Municipality | Satisfaction grade 8 (%) | Merit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora | 26.9 | 211.5 |
| 2 | Åmål | 31.7 | 204.3 |
| 3 | Gällivare | 33.0 | 218.4 |
| 4 | Vårgårda | 34.5 | 202.2 |
| 5 | Osby | 35.4 | 214.1 |
| 6 | Valdemarsvik | 35.7 | 211.7 |
| 7 | Haparanda | 36.4 | 196.2 |
| 8 | Lilla Edet | 36.7 | 197.7 |
| 9 | Lycksele | 36.9 | 220.7 |
| 10 | Tibro | 37.2 | 210.3 |
Methodology and limitations
Satisfaction data comes from the School Survey via Kolada, measured as the proportion of grade 8 students who responded that they are satisfied with their school (%). Merit value data is the municipality's average merit value in grade 9. Both are measured at the municipality average level — school-level connections require the School Survey's raw data.
The correlation coefficient (Pearson r) measures linear co-variation. r = 0.30indicates a moderate positive relationship. The relationship is not causal: it may be due to common third factors such as socioeconomic status.