Sweden

Sweden falls into the top ranks internationally (rank 4) in the category of vertical accountability.

No formal party registration process exists. Political parties select candidates internally with no formal public rules guiding the process. Elections are free and fair, managed by the Election Authority. Public and private funding is permitted. While parties disclose private donations, they do not need to report expenses or assets, limiting the scope of public scrutiny.

Political parties have become more professionalized over time. Party membership rates are declining, which means parties are increasingly dependent on state subsidies. Polarization is increasing, with the traditional left-right divide giving way to a cultural divided centered around issues such as identity and migration.

The right-wing Swedish Democrats have gained substantial influence. Though not represented in the current governing coalition, they are a supporting party in parliament, and thus influence policy. Freedom of information rules are robust, and the transparency of government actions is remarkably high.

Sweden is the SGI 2024’s top performer (rank 1) in the category of diagonal accountability.

The country strongly protects media freedom and the freedom of expression. There is a strong framework for regulating hate speech. Public media board members are not allowed to hold political office. Although media plurality is legally protected, news media concentration is a concern.

The freedoms of association and assembly are constitutionally protected. Civil society organizations play a significant role in policymaking though a system in which commission findings are sent to relative stakeholders before any legislative changes are made.

Employer and labor groups have considerable influence within the policymaking process, but the government is not involved in salary negotiations between labor unions and employers. Social welfare and environmental organizations also play a strong role in shaping policies within their area of focus.

Sweden is the SGI 2024’s top performer (rank 1) in the category of horizontal accountability.

The independent National Audit Office has the authority to audit all state finances. The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection audits both public and private organizations. Its reports can be used as evidence in court, and are reported in the media.

Judicial review is mainly carried out by the government and public agencies, with courts traditionally serving as tools of political executive power. However, courts are independent. Civil rights and legal certainty are strongly protected. Instances of discrimination, especially against Muslims, are on the rise.

Transparency systems including low administrative discretionary power, strong press freedoms and an autonomous judiciary lead to very low levels of corruption. The parliament has sufficient resources and powers to monitor the executive and help to shape policy effectively.

In the category of coordination, Sweden performs comparatively well (rank 6).

The Government Office (GO), led by the prime minister, assists the government in policy preparation. While the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Finance Ministry play key roles in policy development, the practicalities of policy design are left to specialist public servants, whereas the GO and the PMO operate at the strategic level.

The government and its departments operate as a collective actor. All decisions are made collectively, and there is no individual ministerial accountability. Disagreements between governing parties or ministries are often resolved by lifting issues to the political level or through informal mechanisms. Agencies have considerable autonomy in carrying out policies.

Public services have been extensively decentralized, with management shifted to local governments. This has complicated the task of maintaining national standards, especially as services become more privatized. Some sectors such as healthcare have been chronically underfunded.

Sweden is one of three countries that share the SGI 2024’s top rank (rank 1) in the category of consensus-building.

Nongovernmental actors including academics are routinely integrated into the policymaking process, particularly in commissions of inquiry. The country has a long tradition of evidence-based policymaking.

A tripartite system enables the government, employer organizations and trade unions to work together intensively and comprehensively to resolve labor market issues. Social welfare organizations also participate in various forms of consultation, but some complain that their concerns are not taken seriously enough.

Environmental organizations are seen as key actors in achieving sustainability goals and promoting environmental protection. The parliament’s open data service offers significant amounts of current and historical data, but the country has scored below the OECD average for open government data quality in recent years.

In the category of sensemaking, Sweden performs well in international comparison (rank 3).

A government body tasked with reducing regulatory uncertainty by identifying and studying policy challenges was phased out in 2022. Five separate government research agencies fund sectoral and general research, often with a focus on innovation.

Regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) have been mandatory since 2007, but the process has been criticized for coming too late in the legislative process, and for a limited scope. A proposal to change the process is being reviewed. Assessments routinely include the issue of environmental sustainability.

Ex post evaluations take various forms. Performance measurement and management have been a central activity for decades, but these often prioritize institutions and cost efficiency rather than looking at program impacts.

Sweden performs well in international comparison (rank 3) in the category of economic sustainability.

A 2021 circular economy strategy has been developed into a comprehensive action plan employing several regulatory instruments, some of which have already been adopted. Preparedness and critical infrastructure have been a key focus since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ambitious emissions reduction goals aim for carbon neutrality by 2045.

While unemployment rates have stayed higher than expected, strong incentives for education and comprehensive lifelong learning schemes help push people toward training. The country is extending robust social protections to cover people engaged in nonstandard forms of work.

A tax-system simplification has broadened the tax base. While the country remains one of the OECD’s most egalitarian, inequality is on the rise. Energy and pollution taxes have risen substantially. Both the right and left seek to realize budget surpluses, and public debt has declined consistently in recent years. Research is a strong government priority.

Sweden performs well in international comparison (rank 3) in the category of social sustainability.

Education has been a key political focus of reform. However, student performance on the PISA has declined. Public spending on education has been slightly lower than the OECD average. More than 90% of children between the ages of 2 and 3 are enrolled in early childhood education.

The country has a strong tradition of social welfare, but the current government is reforming policies. Financial support is tailored to individual needs. The risk of poverty in Sweden is higher than the OECD average. The healthcare system is universal, with high quality, but costs are high. Responsibilities are distributed among the municipal, regional, national and EU levels.

Gender equality has been a strong government focus, but income disparities between men and women are widening. In 2022, the population receiving paid parental leave was 54% women and 46% men. Official retirement ages are being increased. Immigration policies are being significantly tightened in part due to concerns about failed integration and migrant crime.

Sweden is the SGI 2024’s top performer (rank 1) in the category of environmental sustainability.

Ambitious emissions targets include a reduction of 70% within the domestic transport sector by 2030, and a net-zero emissions status by 2045. However, the current government has relaxed regulations, jeopardizing the ability to reach these targets. Under a controversial 2023 climate action plan, emissions are expected to increase in the short term.

The government has reduced taxes on gas and diesel, and rolled back emissions targets for the short and medium term. A broad range of other environmental targets address areas such as clean water and air. Some are close to being reached, but groundwater quality and overfertilization remain persistent issues.

A broad range of biodiversity and ecosystem-protection plans are in place. Environmental protection and climate issues are a key aspect of the country’s international aid programs.