Large photo: Håkan Vargas

Facts about bears in Sweden

Brown bears are part of Sweden’s wild forests — present, powerful, and usually unseen. Most encounters are indirect: fresh tracks, claw marks, turned stones, or a glimpse at a distance.

This page gives a practical overview of where bears live in Sweden, when you’re most likely to notice them, what’s realistic to expect, and how bear watching is done responsibly.

Quick answers

Do bears live in Sweden?

Yes. Brown bears live mainly in the forests of central and northern Sweden.

How many bears are there?

The latest national estimate placed Sweden at about 2,800 bears (autumn 2022). A preliminary estimate after the 2023 hunt suggested around 2,450 (autumn 2023).

Are bears dangerous?

Bears usually avoid people. Risk is low — but bears are still wild animals and should always be respected and observed at a distance.

When is the best season to see bears?

Late spring to early autumn is best. Bear watching tours often run May–September.

Status and population in Sweden

Brown bears were once hunted close to extinction, but conservation and management have allowed the population to recover.

Estimated population (national monitoring):

• ~2,800 bears (autumn 2022)

• ~2,450 bears (preliminary estimate, autumn 2023)

Numbers change over time due to reproduction, natural mortality, traffic, and management decisions (including licensed hunting levels).

Bear behaviour through the seasons

Bears shift behaviour across the year:

• Spring: feeding after hibernation; often moose and reindeer calves and ants

• Summer: greens and berries become important

• Autumn: intense feeding before winter (berry season is a key driver)

• Winter: hibernation; cubs are born during this period

Home range and movement

Brown bears roam over large areas, and home range size varies with food availability, habitat, and sex.

• Adult males: home ranges can span hundreds of km², and males may overlap several females.

• Adult females: home ranges are typically smaller than males’, often centred around reliable food areas and safe denning habitat.

Bears don’t “stay” in one place — they move quietly through forest mosaics, which is why sightings are often brief even in bear areas.

Are bears dangerous in Sweden?

Bears generally avoid people and most hikers will never notice one. Still, bears can be dangerous if surprised at close range.

If you hike in bear country:

• make sounds, talk, sing or wear a bell

• keep dogs under control

• if you see a bear: stay calm, give space, walk away slowly

More interesting facts about bears

• Europe’s largest land predator: Adult males can sometimes approach 300 kg in Sweden.

• Mostly active at dawn and dusk: Many bears rest through the middle of the day, especially in warm weather.

• Cubs and family life: Females give birth to 1–4 cubs, usually in January–February, and cubs often stay with their mother for around 2–3 years.

• Lifespan: Bears can live up to 30 years, but many die earlier due to hunting, accidents, or other natural causes.

• Hibernation: Bears hibernate in winter and can remain in the den for several months without eating or drinking.

• Shy, but still wild: Bears usually avoid people, but can be dangerous if surprised at close range or if they feel trapped.

• How people most often see bears: You can be lucky on a hike — but the most reliable and safest way is usually from a purpose-built bear watching hide, where observation happens at a fixed location.

Ready to see wild bears in Sweden?

If you want a real chance to observe bears — safely, quietly, and with local knowledge — join a guided bear watching experience.

More interesting facts about bears

• Brown bears are the largest land predator in Europe and can weigh up to 300 kg.

• Sweden is home to an estimated 2,800 bears.

• Brown bears are most active at dawn and dusk and spend most of the day sleeping or resting in the shade.

• Females give birth to one to four cubs, usually in January or February, and the cubs remain with their mother for about two and a half years.

• Brown bears can live up to 30 years in the wild, although most bears die before reaching this age due to hunting, disease, or accidents.

• Brown bears hibernate during the winter months and can survive for up to seven months without eating or drinking.

• Despite their size and strength, brown bears are typically shy and will try to avoid human contact, although they can be dangerous if they feel threatened or cornered.

• Although you may be lucky to see bears in the wild while hiking in the forest or in the mountains, by far the safest way to see bears in from purpose built bear watching hides where the chances of being bears is much higher.

Bears in Sweden: Questions and answers