Götene, a picturesque Swedish town situated about 200 miles southwest of Stockholm, has recently garnered international attention for its innovative initiative to boost population growth. Nestled in a stunning lakeside setting near a mountain town and two UNESCO-rated sites, the town offers a peaceful way of life with approximately 5,000 permanent residents and 13,000 people in the surrounding municipality.
In an effort to attract new residents amidst Sweden’s housing crisis and declining birth rates, the local government put 30 plots of land on sale for less than 10 cents per square meter. Initially, only about 30 interested buyers responded to the offer; however, after the program went viral, thousands of prospective buyers from around the world flooded Götene’s city hall with inquiries.
As a result of the overwhelming interest in the land sale, the local authorities paused the program until early August to develop a plan to handle the flood of requests. A few lucky individuals managed to secure plots before chaos ensued, with four individuals acquiring some of the ultra-cheap land. When the program reopens next month, it is likely that a bidding process will be implemented for the remaining plots.
Götene’s initiative highlights how more and more people worldwide are looking towards Europe for affordable housing options. The town’s idyllic setting and unbeatable land prices have captured everyone’s imagination and appeal of rural living in this charming Swedish locale.