the Horse in Sweden – more important than you think

Horses create
employment and stimulate production
The widespread interest in horses in Sweden has also
brought about a great demand for products and services
connected to Swedish horse rearing. The horse owner
must, for example, buy fodder and equipment, hire a
stable, engage the services of a farrier or a veterinarian,
etc. Counted together, the businesses across the land that
service the horse industry have an appreciable impact
on the national economy. The horse industry’s importance
for the national economy can be seen within the
parameters of turnover, tax revenue and employment.
Further comparison with other industries can be made
by looking at how much the horse industry contributes
to the country’s GNP.
Turnover The horse industry turns over a total of SEK
20 billion per year. This can be compared for example to
IKEA with its domestic yearly turnover of SEK 7 billion.
Betting on harness and horse racing accounts for around
half of the industry’s turnover. Over SEK 10 billion are
placed on horses in Sweden every year. As part of the gambling
industry’s turnover is returned to the sport, the industry
itself becomes an economical driving force for harness
and racing tracks along with the breeding industry.
Taxes The Swedish horse industry contributes over
SEK 4 billion in tax revenue to public authorities. A
large part of this figure, SEK 1.2 billion comes from the
tax on tote betting. Other tax revenues are income taxes
paid by employees in the industry, the sales tax and the
tax on goods and services.
The horse industry
… turns over SEK 20 billion every year and
generates up to a further SEK 26 billion
turnover within the community.
… makes up to 0,34% of the Swedish GNP.
… generates over SEK 4 billion in tax revenue.
… creates paid employment equivalent to
10 000 fulltime jobs.
… and generates further employment –
18 000 full-time jobs outside the industry.
The horse industry has a turnover of
SEK 20 billion!
Agriculture
(chiefly fodder): 2,6
Goods and
services: 1,9
Harness and horse
racing: 2,6
Tourism: 0,2
The breeding industry: 0,9
Horse riding: 1
Gambling and
organisations:
10,8
The horse in Sweden – more important than you think 19