Sweden's 2026 Budget Sees Record Cuts to Cultural Funding Amidst Defense Spending Priorities

In the recent Swedish government budget proposal for 2026, the cultural sector has been allocated 9.6 billion SEK, representing a marginal increase from the 2025 budget of 9.3 billion SEK. However, its proportional share of the national budget has fallen to 0.62%, the lowest in 26 years, raising significant concerns from cultural institutions and advocates.

Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand explained the rationale behind prioritizing defense and justice funding over cultural expenditures, citing escalating costs due to ongoing commitments to defense, in support of Ukraine, and the need for enhanced justice measures. Liljestrand stated, "We must allocate money for defense," emphasizing the government's current focus on these sectors amid growing global tensions. This budgetary direction has drawn criticism from various stakeholders in the cultural community.

The impacts of these cuts are particularly severe for folk education institutions, with many suffering financial difficulties under the same restrictive policies. Currently, about 90% of folk high schools have reduced their operations due to insufficient state support, and Markaryds folkhögskola has declared bankruptcy as a direct consequence of frozen state grants. Reports indicate that the financial crisis in folk education may hinder important initiatives such as courses on civil defense and preparedness.

Trade union Dik, which serves professionals in cultural sectors, has labeled the budget a "scandal," and cultural analysts have expressed dismay at the government’s focus on defense at the expense of cultural funding. While the budget includes a proposed increase of 7 million SEK over three years for key museums, critics argue that it falls short of what is necessary to sustain Sweden’s cultural landscape.

As the fallout from these budgetary decisions unfolds, the debate over the role of culture in national identity and security continues to spark public discourse and calls for renewed support for cultural initiatives within governmental priorities.