As the Swedish birth rate falls, there has been speculation about whether young people are replacing children with animals. South Korea is often cited as an extreme example where more strollers are sold for animals than for babies.
A new survey conducted by Novus on behalf of the Swedish Kennel Club and Agria shows that 20 percent of households with more than one adult but no children have a dog. In single-person households, dog ownership is 9 percent.
Decreasing among families with children
Both groups have increased by one percentage point since the last survey two years ago. Not a huge increase, but the group owns the majority of the country's dog population – around 741,000 out of a total of 951,000 dogs.
In families with children, however, dog ownership is decreasing. The proportion of households with children under 15 who also have a dog has fallen from 20 to 18 percent.
According to a survey conducted by the pet chain Arken Zoo with the help of Novus, one in three Swedes would rather have a pet than a child.
Viktor Kjellsson and his wife have no children, but three dogs. However, they do not have dogs “instead of” children, he emphasizes.
We just said we didn't want kids, sort of, and then we got a dog. Most people we know who have dogs are older and already have kids. People our age don't.
More accepted
35-year-old Susanne Lundquist says she and her partner stand out among their friends. They are childless and have never had any desire for children, but always had a great love for animals.
We haven't regretted that decision once and I feel like it's becoming more and more accepted. It was much more questionable when you were between 20 and 30.
As dog owners, they have to adjust their lives to the dogs, but no more than they had to adapt to children, she thinks.
It's exciting that people think having a dog would be a turn-off. We think we have a dog that sleeps at night and doesn't scream and run and pull at us.
Companionship, closeness and love are cited as reasons for having pets in Arken Zoo's survey. Viktor Kjellsson puts it that way.
That unconditional love - they are always so happy. It's a feeling that is hard to describe.
The Swedish Kennel Club's survey was conducted between December 15, 2025 and January 23, 2026. A total of 10,284 people aged 18 to 89 were interviewed.
Arken Zoo's survey was conducted February 26–March 4, 2026. A total of 1,021 people aged 18–84 participated.
Both surveys were conducted by Novus.
