BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH SDG 8

Sweden belongs to the most advanced economies in the world and aims to be a leading country in the implementation of the UN’ 2030 Agenda (Government Offices of Sweden, 2021, p. 10).  High private expenditures on R&D, good access to capital markets for businesses, a strong fiscal base, and an extensive infrastructure network make the Swedish economy extremely attractive for many high-tech start-ups and established companies, providing strong opportunities for Sweden to become a leading example and pave the way in achieving the targets set by SDG 8 (European Commission, 2025, p. 2). 

Yet, despite the remarkable features underpinning its economic environment, Swedish economic growth has been sluggish over the last few years, falling behind other European countries that have managed to sustain stronger economic growth over the same period. Similarly, the Swedish labor market continues to suffer from severe structural problems, with persistently high unemployment rates that reached 8.4% in 2024 and 8.7% in 2025 (European Commission, 2025, p. 2).

CURRENT CHALLENGES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Sweden is strongly committed to SDG 8, both domestically and internationally. Domestically, Sweden works towards creating an innovative business climate and accelerating the digital transformation, while fostering social dialogue and gender equality, all of which contribute to achieving sustainable economic growth. Concurrently, Sweden’s efforts to support economic development across the world focus primarily on removing international barriers, strengthening capabilities, and empowering people in the exercise of their economic rights (Government Offices of Sweden, n.d.). This commitment extends to international cooperation on policy-related research. As part of the SDG 8 Initiative led by the International Association of Universities, Sweden’s University of Gothenburg plays a critical role in guiding international research efforts to help policymakers accelerate the achievement of SDG 8’s targets (University of Gothenburg, 2026).

However, despite the remarkable efforts made so far, significant work is needed to achieve SDG 8’s targets. In 2022, the growth rate of Sweden’s real GDP stood at a conservative 1.3%, lower than most other European economies of similar size. On a concerning downward trajectory, Sweden’s real GDP growth rate then fell to -0.2% in 2023 and barely surpassed 0% in 2024, standing at 0.8% (World Bank, n.d.). As the European Commission (2025) remarks, this weak economic performance can be attributed to geopolitical risks fuelling uncertainty in the Swedish economy, which is highly integrated into the global economy, relying heavily on exports and therefore being particularly vulnerable to sudden disruptions of the international value chain (p. 2).

The achievement of decent work for all faces significant challenges as well. Persistently high unemployment rates, shortages of skilled workers, considerable gaps in the educational level of Swedish workers, and the relatively weak overall economic activity of the last few years all contribute to suboptimal conditions in the Swedish labour market, which need to be urgently addressed to remain aligned with the SDG 8 agenda (European Commission, 2025, p. 3).

LIST OF REFERENCES AND USEFUL LINKS

Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. (2025). Sweden: 2025 Country Report. European Commission. https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/economic-surveillance-eu-member-states/country-pages/country-report-sweden_en

Government Offices of Sweden. (2021). Voluntary National Review 2021 Sweden: Report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2021/279582021_VNR_Report_Sweden.pdf

Government Offices of Sweden. (n.d.). Sweden and Decent Work and Economic Growth. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Retrieved September 7, 2026, from https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/documents/23832rk_27117_global_agenda_goal_8_webb.pdf

University of Gothenburg. (2026, June 1). The SDG 8 Initiative. Retrieved September 7, 2026, from https://www.gu.se/en/collaboration-and-innovation/networks-partners-and-collaborations/the-sdg-8-initiative

World Bank. (n.d.). GDP growth (annual %) - Sweden [Data file]. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 7, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?end=2024&locations=SE&start=2018