Increasingly impatient Swedes: increased mobility

ofTT

published: May 13, 2020 at 1 p.m. 14:36
Updated: May 13, 2020 at 1 p.m. 15:35

Although the crown pandemic is far from over, the new Telia figures indicate a more relaxed attitude: we are increasingly out and moving in the community again.

Mobility increased across the country last week, especially in the Stockholm region and Gotland.

By analyzing anonymous and aggregated data from the mobile network, Telia can provide an image of our travel patterns.

From mid-March and five weeks onward, mobility declined dramatically in society, especially in Stockholm. But in week 17, which began on April 20, people began to move more and more.

It fell again during election week, week 18, which was likely due to fewer commuting and fewer business trips when more people were vacant. Last week, week 19, mobility increased again.

– Here we look weekly. You should be careful here and look for more weeks to say something about a real trend, says Kristofer Ågren, head of data information at Telia.

Up to seven percent

Last week, mobile operations averaged 16 percent less in Sweden than during week 6 (February 3 to February 9). But on average, they increased 7 percent last week compared to the previous week.

Among the three metropolitan regions, the slowdown is still greater in the Stockholm area compared to the beginning of February: last week, mobility in the Stockholm area was 23 percent less than in week 6.

But at the same time it was in Stockholm where mobility increased the most last week compared to the previous week, by 10 percent.

In Västra Götaland, compared to week 6, mobility has decreased by 18 percent. But compared to week 18, last week’s mobility increased by 7 percent.

In Skåne, mobility compared to week 6 has decreased by 14 percent. At the same time, the rebound on Scania’s trip last week was 5 percent more modest.

In all counties

– It seems that we are starting to look more and more like us, says Kristofer Ågren.

Last week, all counties had an increase, he notes. This is most evident in Stockholm, Gotland County, Uppsala and Södermanland County.

– It seems that we are also seeing similar trends in the other Nordic countries. It is natural because they are opening now. We see similar behavior in Sweden, although no one has said it is time to open up.