SVT follows rural residents fearing their communities will disappear

SVT follows residents living along national road 62 in northern Värmland, where long journeys to essential services, a shrinking population and fears of neglect have shaped daily life. The residents say politicians simply watch as their communities decline, while they feel forgotten in the 2026 election.

For some, the hospital and dentist are an hour away, while children’s football training requires a journey of 60 kilometres. Despite these conditions, residents say rural life does not frighten them.

Lovisa Gustavsson works in home care in the small communities along the road. She is convinced that life in the region will soon disappear.

David Jonasson operates a forest machine near the border with Norway. He describes his concerns about the declining population and the constant risk of landslides along national road 62.

In northern Klarälvdalen, the number of pupils has fallen by 65 per cent over 25 years. Principal Madelene Cicek travels between the area’s last two remaining schools.

The programme also follows timber truck driver Stefan Berglund, whose vehicle weighs 64 tonnes, as he drives along the road.