Population in Sweden 2023, by level of education and gender

In 2023, more women than men had a post-secondary education of three years or more in Sweden. In detail, 29 percent of the Swedish women and 19 percent of the Swedish men had attained that education level. On the other hand, a higher share of men than women had a form of upper secondary education. More than one fourth of men and one fifth of women had an upper secondary education of three years.

Women’s access to education

More women than men completing post-secondary education programs is not a trend limited to Sweden. Across all OECD countries in 2021, more women were first-time higher education students than men. A large portion of these women are entering into healthcare and education programs, while less than a quarter are entering into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs.

Issues facing Swedish women today

While more Swedish women are accessing education and leading autonomous lives, they still face many gender-based issues. In 2022, domestic abuse, equal pay, and sexual violence were all cited as top gender issues for Swedish women. More Swedish women than men report feeling unsafe at night, and for both genders, concerns about crime are increasing.