The data is for Sweden as a whole, not just Stockholm (it may be skewed by the Stockholm market, but it doesn't change the numbers reported). Interest-only mortgages are so popular that the government is changing mortgage legislation. 40% of mortgages in Sweden that do pay back interest are on a schedule to pay off the loan in more than 50 years. Swedes may live long, but even the lenders must be worried about this. The time to pay off the mortgage has been estimated at 100-140 years. Among the many articles:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/sweden-mulls-encouraging-mortgage-repayment-1404916596
and more here
https://www.google.ca/search?q=sweden+mortgage
Respectfully, whats your broader point?
That people in certain parts of the world are okay with being in debt for the entirety of their lives?
I'm not sure thats an enviable goal to strive for.
We certainly aren't the only desirable city in the world thats facing housing challenges. But I think we definitely are one of the most punished cities.
We can't compare our affordability issue with cities like London, NY, Geneva, Stockholm, etc. We aren't on the same level economically, historically, or socially. Which is part of the problem itself - in those cities you are paying a certain amount for access to a hub of political, social and economic influence. The upward mobility in those cities economies is unparalleled to what we have to offer here.
All this if fine - you can't compare a city like ours with those that have had centuries, or even millennia of growth before us.
But if we are not afforded access to those big city privileges, nor the wages, why are we paying the price for it?
Cactus Club/Keg/Earls have great food, and no problem filling seats. But that doesn't mean they charge customers Michelin Star prices.