Sweden Faces Employment Challenges for Senior Workers, Report Shows
A recent report reveals Sweden's poor standing in employing seniors compared to Nordic peers, citing age discrimination.
Key Points
- • Sweden is the worst in the Nordic region for hiring seniors aged 55-74.
- • The report from Pluskommissionen highlights significant barriers caused by age discrimination.
- • Denmark has more than double the likelihood of hiring seniors than Sweden.
- • Trygghetsrådet suggests older applicants emphasize recent achievements in job applications.
On July 14, 2025, a new report from Pluskommissionen has revealed that Sweden ranks the lowest among Nordic countries in hiring senior workers aged 55 to 74. With a striking mention from Mattias Munter, an economist at Skandia, this report underscores the significant barriers faced by older job seekers in Sweden's labor market, which is criticized for underutilizing this demographic despite an ongoing skills shortage in various industries.
The report highlights that in Denmark, seniors have more than double the likelihood of securing employment compared to Sweden. Other Nordic nations, specifically Iceland, Finland, and Norway, also fare better in integrating seniors into the workforce. Furthermore, data indicates a drastic reduction in the number of seniors in governmental roles over the past two decades, exacerbating the issue of age discrimination.
Age discrimination and misconceptions about older workers being less productive are prevalent obstacles in the job market, which contribute to the difficulties faced by seniors. To combat these biases, the Trygghetsrådet advises older job seekers to emphasize recent achievements and future goals in their job applications, a strategy aiming to reframe the narrative around senior applicants.
In a related note, Jula, a discount retail chain, has announced ambitious plans to expand its footprint by opening 100 new stores in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Poland by 2030. This expansion comes on the back of a record sales performance, indicating a positive trend, as the company reports nearly a quarter of a billion more kronor in sales compared to the previous year. Jula's CEO, Johan Sjöhagra, emphasizes their commitment to enhancing physical accessibility for customers, highlighting the robust demand for their offerings.
As discussions around the employment of senior workers continue, this report serves as a crucial reminder of the need for systemic change to improve inclusivity in the labor market, especially for the older population, which remains underutilized.