Sweden has a growing number of older people, which is affecting the country in many ways. This change is happening because people are living longer, but fewer babies are being born.

As of 2023, the average age of people in Sweden is about 41 years, which has risen from 39 years in 2000. By 2030, it’s expected that around 25% of the population will be 65 years old or older.

Changes in Population

• Current Numbers:
  • About 20% of the people in Sweden are aged 65 or older, which is about 2 million individuals.
  • This number is predicted to go up to about 23% by 2030.

Economic Effects

• Workforce Issues:
  • With fewer young people entering the workforce, there will soon be only 2.5 working-age people for each elderly citizen by 2030. This is a drop from 4.6 working-age people for each older person in 2010.
• Pressure on Pension Systems:
  • The number of retirees compared to workers will put a strain on the pension system since there will be fewer workers paying taxes to support the retirees.

Impact on Healthcare

• More Need for Medical Care:
  • Older adults generally need more healthcare services. It is estimated that they use over 40% of all healthcare services.
  • By 2030, the need for services to help the elderly is expected to grow by 25%.

Social Services and Housing

• Demand for Elderly Care Facilities:
  • There is a rising need for places like assisted living homes and nursing homes, especially since about 40% of older people in Sweden live alone.

Diversity in Culture

• Cultural Needs in Services:
  • As the population changes, there’s a greater need for healthcare and support services that consider different cultures. About 20% of Sweden’s population comes from foreign backgrounds, making it important to include various cultural needs in elderly care.

To sum it up, the aging population in Sweden brings challenges for the economy, healthcare, and social services. To manage these changes well, the country needs to plan and create new policies effectively.