Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Get in touch with us nowSocial welfare recipients in Sweden 2010-2022
Since 2015, the number of recipients of social welfare in Sweden has decreased steadily. Whereas more than 415,000 people received social welfare in Sweden in 2015, it had sunk below 300,000 in 2022. However, even though the total number of recipients has decreased, the value of the total benefits has increased since 2017.
To help people reach a reasonable standard of living
The social welfare benefits in Sweden are administered by the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen in Swedish). The aim of the benefits is to help people in need to reach a reasonable standard of living through monthly benefits. The amount of the average monthly payment was around 9,100 Swedish kronor in 2022.  
Benefits in foreign and Swedish households
Looking at households with Swedish-born and foreign-born citizens, the most common group of recipients was Swedish-born single men living without children. However, when looking at couples with children, far more foreign-born citizens received social benefits.
To help people reach a reasonable standard of living
The social welfare benefits in Sweden are administered by the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen in Swedish). The aim of the benefits is to help people in need to reach a reasonable standard of living through monthly benefits. The amount of the average monthly payment was around 9,100 Swedish kronor in 2022.  
Benefits in foreign and Swedish households
Looking at households with Swedish-born and foreign-born citizens, the most common group of recipients was Swedish-born single men living without children. However, when looking at couples with children, far more foreign-born citizens received social benefits.
