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Why Sweden's not perfect, after all

Published 15 November 2007

The Swedes seem to slide effortlessly into first place - or thereabouts - in bloody everything worth prizing

There's always one person at a party who puts the rest of us to shame, isn't there? While everyone else frets about the dress code, they turn up in just the right outfit, neither too casual nor too dressy. While we make gaffes and swear, they say just the right thing, neither too loud, nor so reserved as to seem frosty. They drink enough to be convivial, but never so much as to get drunk, naked and start dry-humping the stereo system. They are, indeed, the coolest person in the room, making everyone else seem a bit shabby by comparison.

Reading a couple of breaking reports last week, it occurred to me that, when it comes to the international community, Sweden is pretty much always that cool person at the party. The Swedes seem to slide effortlessly into first place - or thereabouts - in bloody everything worth prizing, don't they? They are healthy - they have one of the longest life expectancies in the world. They are friendly - they have just been named the best country in Europe when it comes to welcoming immigrants and helping them to settle.

They are intelligent - they have the highest per capita ratio of Nobel laureates. They gave us Abba, the most karaoke-friendly pop group of all time. And last year the Daily Mail asked "Is Sweden the most boring country in the world?" before giving the country a right drubbing. Now, if there's anything that can establish something's innate coolness as quickly as a thorough slagging from the Daily Mail, I have yet to discover it.

And, if all that weren't enough, for the second year running Sweden has been named as the country that has done the most to reduce gender disparity. The Global Gender Gap Report 2007, put together by the World Economic Forum, surveyed 128 countries and considered four markers of equality - economic participation, educational attainment, political empowerment and health. They found that "while no country has yet achieved gender equality, Sweden, Norway and Finland have all closed over 80 per cent of the gender gap and thus serve as a useful benchmark for international comparisons". The UK didn't do too badly, although we dropped out of the top ten, to number 11, well behind our Nordic rivals. And the world's leading economy, the US, plummeted from 23rd to 31st - just one place ahead of Kazakhstan.

Which begs the question - what makes Sweden so good for women? The country has long had a progressive outlook, of course, which has seen it institute a host of women-friendly policies over the years, often far ahead of other nations. So, for instance, women and men were granted equal inheritance rights way back in 1845; in 1901, Sweden introduced a formal programme for maternity leave; in 1965 it became the first nation to have a law against rape in marriage. More recently, in 1998, there came the Act Prohibiting the Purchase of Sexual Services, which makes the buying of sex illegal.

This groundbreaking policy emphasises Sweden's commitment to gender equality - creating a distinct mark in the sand that says that the buying of one sex by another is fundamentally wrong. (Sweden also, notably, often combines public education campaigns with its legislative changes, leading to wide acceptance of the measures - 80 per cent of the population supports the government's stance on prostitution.)

It's not just progressive policies that mark Sweden out, though - it's having a system of high taxation to make them work. It's all very well, for instance, suggesting a policy for parental - note that's "parental" rather than simply "maternity" - leave that adds up to a generous 480 days per child to be shared between parents, but not much use if you don't have the high taxes necessary to support it. Equally, it's all very well having an extensive public childcare system for children aged one to 12, but a nonsense unless the cash is there. Sweden has one of the world's highest rates of taxation, and the system clearly works for them - in another recent report by the World Economic Forum, it was found to have the world's fourth most competitive economy.

I know, I know. If Sweden's so bloody brilliant, why don't I just move there? Well, for one thing, there's the high price of booze (largely due to taxation) and its restricted availability. This undoubtedly helps keep Sweden at the top of those world health rankings, but might be a bit too much of a culture shock for me.

There's the fear that Sweden's relatively new, centre-right coalition government might roll back some of the country's key selling points. And then there's the news, which emerged last week, that Sweden's new equal opportunities ombudsman - a woman - is to be paid considerably less than her male predecessor, even though one of her key tasks is to encourage equal pay regardless of gender.

Oh, well. It just goes to show. Even the most perfect person at the party sometimes knocks over a wine glass, don't they?

Kira Cochrane is women's editor of the Guardian

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14 comments from readers

tonyrobin
16 November 2007 at 12:44

Thanks Kira for the kind words about Sweden. However, I think and hope you were only joking when you mentioned the price of the booze, and its restricted availability, How does the price of booze compare with the UK?. Of course if you want to visit the IN places, then you will have to pay as much in the UK as here in Sweden. In the state shops, the only place one can buy strong drinkies etc, the prices are high, so what, it does happen to keep the alcohol related sicknesses down lower than other countries, and one drinks less of course. Our neighbour Denmark has the same system as the UK, buy anything anywhere at almost anytime, and they are having such problems with the effects of alcohol on the health of their people. You go on about the high taxation we have. When I was working with a good salary, I was only paying 30% tax, yet I was not paying what you call NHI stamp, and at the same time my employer was paying into a scheme we call ATP pension. I wasnt paying anything myself. Now retired, my "state" pension is at least twice that of the UK pension. Away from the large cities, our house prices are only a fraction of those in the UK, a detached villa could be yours for only £35t, insurance is cheaper, food is on par with the UK, if not cheaper outside the big cities. All the other necessities such as el, water, heating, petrol they are all cheaper. Life is more relaxed, less stress. Our health and dental care are second to none, still state run, so the costs are low compared with yours, if you can get a dentist. But, if the price of booze puts you off, well!!!

George Robinson

Rydaholm

Sweden

tompayne
16 November 2007 at 14:14

One thing you didn't mention was the fact that Sweden has an extremely high divorce rate. Amusingly, this has been blamed on the disposable culture created by that other giant of Swedishness, IKEA.

tompayne
16 November 2007 at 14:17

Sorry, didn't mean to post twice. Or indeed thrice, but here's where IKEA is blamed for the divorce rate: http://www.thelocal.se/9089/

HairySwede
17 November 2007 at 14:33

You also failed to mention that salary should be set based on experience not on what your predecessor earned. To pay this woman the exact same as her predeccesor overlooks everything he did in the past to earn that salary. A key point that has been overlooked in the outrage surrounding the new ombudsman.

Rossmctaggart
18 November 2007 at 11:43

I'm not sure what George Robinson is talking about on costs, Sweden has the highest household costs in Europe i.e. electricity, water, food etc.

There is no way you can claim those things to be cheaper in Sweden.

And don't deny it, the system of selling booze in this country is shockingly childish, degrading to free thinking adults and highly prescriptive.

The Swedes have successfully demonized a wonderful social activity then brainwashed the population into believing that such a crass soviet style system is so superior to everybody else's.

There is no banter in Sweden!

I think when we all move here we just keep pretending it is all wonderful - but come on George! Life's just a bit dull here.

hans.grundstrom@citi.com
19 November 2007 at 15:27

Sweden is superb, exclusive and the high prizes are just there to prove the point. Just kidding, can't take the old country seriously, but clearly anyone who could afford it would prefer quality to quantity, especially when it comes to alcohol, food and housing. And us Swedes can afford it. As for having demonized alcohol and having a Soviet style attitude, I'll incorporate that in my next toast - its a great soundbite with no substance. The monopoly offers the widest range of alcoholic beverages in the world, at affordable prices, 6 days out of 7. The Soviets offered no choice and often no products 7 days out of 7 - and then what you got was quite, quite poor. The brainwashing part makes me laugh though, please do take the time to ask some Swedes about whether Sweden is the best place in the world, all you'll get is complaints followed by the famous line "but at least it works".

Nittygritty
23 November 2007 at 16:48

If I were a true Brit I would tell Ross McTaggart to take his views on Sweden and SOD OFF home or get a right kicking.

However, as a Swede convert I would politely and reasonably point out that he has a right to his opinion and is welcome here, even if he feels it is dull.

Take your pick.

Bageren
28 November 2007 at 18:47

Howcome Kira is not talking about crime rates in the wonderful country of Sweden ?

What are the numbers of murders and rapes ?

Maybe the picture no longer fits with the rest of the columm.

And howcom Kira doesn't mention anything about the wonderful ghetto's of stockholm and malmo - firetruck and police dont dare go in these no-go-zones .

And howcome Kira dont pay any attention to the last three decades of economic history - is Sweden still doing well compared to e.g. the other scandinavian countries, or are sweden falling behind?

Rhodri
30 November 2007 at 15:58

It's true social democracy works, despite what most Brits even those on the left may believe. I've seen it. Someone should tell Gordon Brown.

davmor
18 January 2008 at 21:51

Sweden!

I've had the gross misfortune of living here for too long. Swedes are perfect, no other nation does everything so well. I am so amazed, Swedes are so cool and the whole country is like a dream come true.

There are two ways of doing things in the world; the wrong way and the Swedish way.

Do you believe this?

If you do, well you are Swedish.

I know a lot of immigrants and Swedes here and there are all of the same opinion as me, Sweden is as boring as waiting for Godot the dentist i,e, the dentist that never comes.

My partner gets hysterical if anything is done in a non Swedish way.

It's the same at work many of my retentive co workers at the school I work at get jittery when things are not planned, put in neat little square boxes, listed and then planned again. The targets goals and criteria are used to see if there are any other ways of sytemizing anything.

I take some classes with a rough plan and relax when I m teaching.

My retentive co workers, not all are of course, see me as a rebelious, anarchist.

Then there's the winter. Dark, cold and dark. Everyone goes into a cocoon, works, pays taxes and complains about the weather.

Why do people live in this country?

Why do I stay? I have two wonderful children and my partner refuses to leave.

This is another Swedish trait, complain about Sweden and do nothing about it. All swedes love the summer, but very few actually up stums and leave.

I have been trying to get my Swedish partneer to move away from this awful, boring and mind numbingly boring place.

Otherwise Sweden's OK?

scruella
14 May 2008 at 14:58

I have lived for many years in the UK, but now I am back in my native Norway, which isn't all that different from Sweden. The bad weather and the dark winters are probably worse, but the nature is beautiful, it is great for families with children (long paternal leave with full pay, subsidized childcare, flexible employers), public services are efficient, flexible and well-functioning - and yes, the prices and taxes are high, but almost all can afford it without problems.

The problems with the Nordic countries (apart from the price of booze) is the limited lack of the very high quality services that are available to the wealthy, such as private medical care and elitist education. There is not the same strive for excellency that you can find in the US and the UK (within some socio-economic groups). Being average, not set apart, is held up as an ideal. Despite high immigration rates in recent years, these are also not truly multicultural societies (maybe that is why so many suggest it is boring). The multicultural society of the UK might make a social democratic welfare state of the Nordic countries difficult to implement, as there is not the same political willingness to pay for public services that are over-subscribed by some social or ethnic groups. Indeed, the decreasing moral conformism, the multiculturalism, and increasing social diversity, poses a threat to the Nordic welfare state.

rozyroze
08 July 2008 at 13:35

I've lived in Sweden for a year now, having believed the propaganda as exemplified in Kira's article here. Whatever the statistics may say, the experience of living here gives another perception. The society does 'work', no doubt about that, but at the expense of individual fulfillment and freedom.

For example, I've applied to the state-run musical instrument school for lessons for my kids, only to be told that all the courses are already full. There are no alternative private courses available. The government decides how many young citizens need to be educated musically to fulfill the society's cultural consumption need, and then offers that many places. Too bad if your child didn't get on!

This attitude, together with the smugness and general lack of passion is why I want to leave. Oh, and I don't want the government to tell me I can't buy a bottle of wine on a Saturday afternoon!

Mary
09 September 2008 at 02:48

There is far too much propoganda being banded about as to the 'greatness' of Sweden. Sweden is no Utopia and just like the previous poster I believed it all too. I am finally able to leave Swedn after two years and I am so happy about it, although the two years have near cost me my personality, individuality and sense of self. No Swede will ever tell you the truth about life in Sweden because they have no idea they have been brainwashed into believing they live in Utopia. No Swede will ever complain about the serious housing shortages and the resulting 10 year waiting lists for tiny 50metre squared apartments that many families live in, no Swede will ever complain about the communist style high rise blocks blighting much of the skylines that everyone the world over criticises the old Soviet blocks for. No Swede will ever complain about the lack of variety/choices that exist - no real department stores, only one drugstore ( government monopoly), a handful of clothes shops etc, no Swede will ever complain about high taxes, no Swede will ever complain about benefit scroungers living as well as or even better than hard working individuals , no Swede will ever complain about the fact that Sweden is a place where ambition is discouraged. The scariest thing of all is that like the first poster they can't even see it. I do wish when journalists write articles like this they balance it out with the truth about Sweden.

thankgodiamout
14 October 2008 at 16:33

Mary let's add to the list: The first hand contract of apartments-like a foreigner would stand a chance. The fact that swedes feel the need to drink excessively. The fact that striving for more than average is a negative trait to have. The fact that immigrants are segregated to undesirable parts of the country: Let's not forget how racist they are (not appear to be--but actually are). Let's not forget students can treat teachers like crap--and get away with it. Let's not forget that they love their stress leave and white collar workers abuse the system more than those that are forced to by circumstance. Let's not forget Swedes love to compete with each other with food and fashion (but won't say that outright). Let's not forget how lazy they are, heaven forbid ficca is interrupted. Let's not forget their lack of acceptance of other cultures ( ever go to a tourist destination and everything on the plaque in Swedish--for gods' sake English is the universal language). Most of all let's not forget Swedes love to complain about the truth inside Mary's post and likely this one---but will never take it outside of friends and family--even then that's usually after one too many. Bottom line--if you want to go through life in a haze, strive for little in life and expect handouts at every corner, welcome to a place on earth that has the world fooled, and those that live there envious of North America--although it is pretty much a given it will never be said. Thank-god I am out of that dreadful country.