Kökar's five-year review, 2026
Five years after the first analysis, Kökar is measuring its habitability again. What has happened since 2020?
Why are we measuring our habitability once again?
Five years ago we found out how habitable Kökar was. Now we wanted to know what has happened since then. Have we become more or less habitable? It is only when we measure again that we see the movement, and can do something about it.
This time 174 of us responded, more than twice as many as in 2019. The questions branch out depending on who you are. Everyone answered the basic questions about how we thrive here, the ferry, services and housing. Those of us who live here year-round also got the deeper questions about staying, wellbeing and finances. Summer residents and visitors were asked about the seasons, time on the island, and about moving here.
What we carry with us into the work are the things that chafe: too few rental homes and empty houses, the ferry and the short route, and how we reach young people. But also the things that hold us up: that almost everyone thrives here, and that many would like to move here.
From survey to final report, in three steps
The five-year review is carried out in three stages, from survey to final report. Each one builds on the last.
1. The survey
A follow-up to the 2019 survey, to see what has changed. 174 responded, on their phones or on paper at the shop and on the ferry. The questions branch out depending on who you are, and everything is anonymous and reported at group level.
2. Interviews & Discussion Groups
Seven groups, one for each area, plus in-depth interviews that dig into the answers indicator by indicator. This is where we move from numbers to understanding, and this is where we need you.
3. The final report
Everything is brought together into a final report, the island's overall picture and a foundation for Kökar's continued work. Nothing is decided from above. We do it together.
1. Enkäten
5 years later: This is how the people of Kökar responded
174 of us responded, more than twice as many as in 2019. Here are some of the first results. The full picture comes in the final report.
77 → 174
96 %
~90%
Answer 2019 -> 2026
Enjoying life at Kökar
I think they will still be here in 5 years.
Who answered?
174 responses, compared to 77 in 2019. 78 of us live here year-round, 96 are summer residents, people who've moved here, moved away, or just curious.
Everyone answered the basic questions. Those of us who live here year-round also got the deeper questions about staying, wellbeing and finances.
The results in brief
What we are proud of, and what chafes
96% thrive here
Four out of five says "very good". A warm island to live on.
9 out of 10 are staying
That's how many of us who live here year-round believe it. Those who hesitate point to jobs and ferries.
Housing worries
We thrive where we live, but four in ten worry about future housing. Few believe there will be enough rental homes.
The shop wins, the ferries hold up
96% are happy with the shop, and 71% think the ferries work well. On the short route we're of two minds.
3 out of 4 can cope
72 hours
That's how many feel prepared. But one in four don't think they'd manage 72 hours on their own.
We want a swimming beach
Most requested of all. We live surrounded by water but would like a place to swim. We can fix that ourselves.
Young people feel the worst
We're doing well overall, 75 out of 100, the youngest least of all. Only 20 respondents were under 30. How do we reach them?
Many want to move to Kökar
Almost 7 in 10 summer residents and visitors could see themselves moving here, held back by life situation and a job elsewhere.
Kökar is heading in a more hopeful direction right now. I feel happy, with strong faith in Kökar's future and the will to stand up to whatever negativity may come our way.
There are rental homes, but is a row of townhouses in the middle of Karlby the archipelago idyll you want to build your life around? Who's motivated to keep renting, whether a flat or a house, if the chance to own your own home never opens up?
I live on Kökar for the peace and the nature. Housing, ferries and transport links, healthcare, a shop and post are what it takes to make it work.
2. Discussion Groups & Interviews
7 discussion groups
After the survey, we meet in seven smaller groups, one for each area. Together we go through what the answers mean, indicator by indicator, and add what the numbers don't capture. This is where numbers turn into understanding.
Who participates in the discussion groups?
The groups are small and open to all, whatever you already know. We who live here know the island best, and we're the ones who weigh up where it stands.
3. The final report
Five-year review
Everything is brought together into a final report. It gives the island's overall picture of its habitability, what's strong and what needs fixing, area by area. The report becomes a foundation for Kökar's continued work.
Nothing is decided from above. We're the ones who fill it, together, and we're the ones who carry it forward.
What will the final report be?
A full picture of the island's habitability, area by area. Green where we're strong, red where things are urgent. It becomes Kökar's own basis for what we do next, not a piece of paper in a drawer.