Why the number of households receiving income support in Sweden is decreasing – researcher explains

There are several warnings that the situation for the most vulnerable households has become worse. Swedes' debts with the Swedish Enforcement Authority are at record levels. The number of homeless people in the Stockholm region is increasing. At the same time, food prices have been high during the winter and spring.

Usually, the number of people who need income support from municipalities usually follows the financial situation. But this has not been the case in recent years.

"For many decades, income support, what we call social assistance, has followed the economy relatively well with a lag of a few years. It has been very stable during the decade, at about the same level all the time," says Tapio Salonen, professor of social work at Malmö University who, among other things, has conducted research on income conditions.

Household finances and food prices

In March 2023, a total of 94,348 households in Sweden received financial assistance, compared to 104,900 in March last year, a decrease of about 10 percent. This has been the trend for a long time: since inflation started to rise in the summer of 2021, the number of people receiving financial support from their municipality has nevertheless decreased.

"It has gradually decreased over the past two years, by about 20 percent. This is surprising considering the situation for household finances with inflation and increased food prices, says Salonen.

The explanations for why it is decreasing

The explanations can be several, for example that people who came to Sweden during the 10th century no longer need financial support. But there may also be other explanations, such as that it has become more difficult to seek help.

"We also believe that the thresholds have become higher in the social services' handling. It is about the spirit of the times, a more restrictive attitude in the debate and the public discourse that can have an impact on the handling of the social services. We need more research to look at this," Salonen said.

See Agenda Special on inflation at 21.15 pm on SVT2, or on SVT Play.