The report, titled Public Health in Sweden, assessed the health of the Swedish population based on surveys and data from the agency’s registers. Around 70 percent of Swedes aged between 16 and 84 are in good health, according to the agency's findings, with that figure rising to 90 percent among children and young people.
There's a lot of good news ‒ Sweden's average life expectancy has increased to just over 83 years, and the mortality rate is down when it comes to some of the most common causes of deaths such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.
The number of people who smoke daily continues to fall, as does the number of people – especially young people – who drink enough alcohol to pose a risk to their health. This is also reflected in the fact that the number of pregnancies with risk factors has dropped significantly among young women.
"At the same time, the report contains several concerning results. We're seeing signs of increasing mental illness, more people with obesity, and there continue to be large differences between different population groups," said Public Health Agency director general Olivia Wigzell in a statement.
In 2024, more than one in ten people – 11 percent of the population – reported that they had “serious mental stress”, with that number rising to over one in five (20 percent) among young women.
The number of people who have avoided going outside alone, due to a fear of being attacked, mugged or abused in some other way, also rose in 2024, with more than half of women in the youngest age group falling into this category.
Another factor affecting health is socio-economic status, where those with low socio-economic status rated their health more poorly than those with a higher socio-economic status. They were more likely to die before the age of 65 and have a shorter average life expectancy.
People in this group had also lower levels of trust in societal institutions and in other people, and were more likely to have been the victims of violence or threats of violence. They are also less active and more likely to smoke daily.
The agency’s report also highlights that health, as well as conditions for good health, are “not at sufficient levels” in a number of areas – for example 100,000 adults and 70,000 children and young people live in households where incomes have not been sufficiently high to cover basic necessities for a number of years.
“Both targeted and broad, sustainable efforts are needed to promote health and prevent ill-health,” Wigzell said.
“Authorities, regions, municipalities, civil society and the business sector need to contribute to this together. Good and equal health in the population is crucial if we want a robust and resilient society, while also promoting societal developments in general.”
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