Decline in Girls' Academic Performance Raises Concerns in Swedish Education

A recent report from Skolverket has highlighted a troubling decline in the academic performance of Swedish girls, especially evident from grade 6 through to high school. Historically, girls have outperformed boys in educational settings, yet this trend is shifting as seen in the 2025 school results, where the performance gap between genders is at its smallest in grade 9.

Mathematics is a key area of concern, showcasing the most significant drop in girls' scores, with many expressing lower levels of enthusiasm and self-confidence compared to their male peers. Sanna Vent, an educational advisor at Skolverket, commented on this trend, saying, "The decline in girls' performance in math is concerning and underscores deeper issues in educational engagement."

This decline predominantly affects girls of Swedish background, and is reported regardless of socioeconomic status. Interestingly, previous studies indicate these girls are not only facing academic challenges but are also experiencing increased levels of stress and dissatisfaction in school. This emotional and psychological factor is playing a crucial role in their overall performance, contributing to a worrying outlook for educational parity in Sweden. Notably, disparities in access to special support services within schools might further exacerbate these issues.

As the education sector grapples with this decline, the focus will likely turn towards understanding the underlying causes of this trend and developing strategies to better support female students in building both confidence and academic achievement.