Sweden's Criminal Economy Estimated at 352 Billion Kronor Annually, Prompting Coordinated National Response

A recent comprehensive analysis on Sweden's criminal economy reveals its staggering scale and widespread impact on the national economy and society. According to a report titled 'Svarta siffror' released in early 2026, the criminal economy in Sweden generates at least 352 billion kronor a year, equating to roughly 5.5% of the country's GDP. This translates to daily revenues of nearly one billion kronor, with profits estimated at around 185 billion kronor annually, accounting for approximately 3% of GDP.

The report highlights that illegal economic activities have permeated various sectors, extending beyond the construction industry into welfare systems and the broader labor market. Of particular concern is the pervasive nature of black-market labor, which constitutes the most significant segment of the criminal economy. This infiltration poses serious challenges, undermining public finances, distorting fair labor market practices, disadvantaging legitimate businesses, and eroding trust in societal institutions.

In response, the Swedish government and key stakeholders launched the initiative Sverige mot organiserad brottslighet (SMOB) in September 2024 to strengthen societal resilience against organized crime. SMOB is a partnership among multiple authorities and organizations, including the Swedish Tax Agency, Migration Agency, and National Police, designed to foster collaboration through education, research, innovation, and coordinated cross-sector efforts.

Complementing SMOB, a strategic forum called the Samhällsråd has been established to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among government officials, academia, and the business community. Professor Amir Rostami from Södertörns högskola emphasized the need for a unified societal response against organized crime. Ylva Fältholm, rector of the university, underscored the importance of sustained knowledge development and critical analysis to effectively tackle this complex phenomenon.

This recent mapping of the scale and complexity of criminal economic activities underscores the pressing need for comprehensive and long-term strategies across sectors to combat and diminish organized crime's grip on Sweden's economy and society.