Oxfam Urges Recognizing Economic Anxiety as a Public Health Crisis Affecting One in Four Swedes

A recent survey conducted by Verian for Oxfam Sweden reveals that economic anxiety is a widespread issue, with two million Swedes, equivalent to one in four adults, suffering from significant financial stress. This anxiety manifests in panic attacks, sleep disturbances, and social exclusion fears, stemming from worries about expenses, housing costs, and general economic uncertainty.

The survey highlights that younger generations are particularly vulnerable, with nearly 30% of individuals under 50 reporting economic anxiety. Furthermore, income disparities influence perceptions of political responsiveness—only 18% of those earning under 35,000 SEK per month feel politicians are addressing their situation, compared to 45% among higher earners.

Suzanne Standfast, General Secretary of Oxfam Sweden, stressed the urgency of classifying economic anxiety as a public health issue. She criticized the current political approach, noting that 60% of voters believe politicians are failing to improve their economic conditions. Standfast linked the rise in economic anxiety to broader societal issues, including income inequality, high living costs, geopolitical tensions, and the climate crisis.

She called for political reforms aimed at resource redistribution and strengthening welfare systems to build a more robust society capable of responding to these challenges. The survey's findings were presented at a press conference on April 21, underscoring the pressing need for immediate political action to alleviate economic distress among Swedes.