Sweden Faces Challenges in Meeting STEM Education and Research Career Goals

A recent survey reveals that no region in Sweden has met the government's target of having 25% of high school students enrolled in either natural science or technology programs. Currently, the national average stands at 21%, reflecting a decline across all regions over the past five years. The Swedish government’s STEM strategy, introduced in February 2025, aims for 25% of first-year high school students to pursue these fields by 2035, aiming to increase the number of engineers necessary for the country’s green and digital transitions.

Despite these ambitions, progress remains slow. Johan Kreicbergs, head of social policy at Sveriges Ingenjörer, expressed concern that the lack of progress risks weakening regional competitiveness. Regions such as Skåne have experienced a less severe drop but still fall short of the target.

Parallel to enrollment issues, a study commissioned by Svenskt Näringsliv and conducted by Faugert & Co examined the career trajectories of doctoral graduates in four strategically important technological fields. The study highlights the government’s 2024 research proposition allocating 1.4 billion SEK for excellence clusters in groundbreaking technology, emphasizing that investment success must be measured not just by funding, but by effective transfer of knowledge and skills to industry and society.

The research investigates the proportion of foreign doctoral students, their retention in Sweden after graduation, and their transition into the business sector. These findings are critical for shaping policies that maximize the impact of Sweden’s technology investments by ensuring that talented researchers contribute to the country’s innovation and competitiveness.

As Sweden strives to boost both STEM education enrollment and research-to-industry pathways, these challenges highlight the need for coordinated efforts to secure the future workforce and technological leadership necessary for the nation’s green and digital ambitions.