Economic Anxiety Intensifies in Vulnerable Swedish Neighborhoods Amid Rising Interest Rates

In 2025, residents of Sweden's vulnerable areas are experiencing significantly heightened economic anxiety compared to those in more affluent neighborhoods. A recent survey conducted by Indikator for Stiftelsen Järvaveckan revealed that nearly half of people living in these at-risk districts worry about their financial stability, a stark contrast to just about a quarter in other regions. Rising interest rates are a major source of concern, with individuals like 26-year-old Laguz Hjertstedt from Rinkeby, Stockholm, voicing fears of unaffordable borrowing costs that threaten household budgets.

The survey, which captured responses from almost 5,000 individuals, also highlighted amplified fears of crime in vulnerable areas, including burglary and shootings. Approximately 25% of residents in these districts have contemplated relocating due to safety concerns. Despite these economic and social pressures, a majority of respondents expressed a strong sense of belonging to Swedish society and viewed immigration positively, according to Ahmed Abdirahman, head of Stiftelsen Järvaveckan.

While the national stock market in Stockholm set record highs in 2025, this prosperity did not extend to smaller companies, which suffered their worst performance in 25 years with a 1% decline, indicating broader economic challenges. For vulnerable populations, these trends translate to increased financial instability and worries about the future.

This data underscores the widening economic disparities within Swedish society in 2025, where economic indicators can appear positive overall yet mask serious difficulties for those in fragile communities. The fears rising among residents in vulnerable neighborhoods speak to the urgent need for policies addressing both economic and safety issues to help stabilize these communities and ensure more inclusive prosperity.