Swedes Face Soaring Personal Debt: Expert Calls for Regulation

As of September 2025, personal debt levels in Sweden have reached alarming heights, exceeding 138 billion kronor, nearly doubling in the past decade. Carina Brehmer, a debt and budget advisor from Linköping, reports that easier access to credit, particularly from companies like Klarna and Qliro, inadvertently puts many individuals' financial security at risk. Compounding the issue, an economic downturn that began in 2023 has worsened personal financial stability, with total debt reported by the Swedish Enforcement Authority rising by 36% over the last two years.

Brehmer emphasizes the need for legislative changes to curb irresponsible credit lending practices that have proliferated since the 1990s. She stresses the importance of stricter regulations to prevent individuals from falling into deeper financial crises. To navigate this rising debt, she recommends that people maintain a close watch on their income and expenses through proper budgeting, remain flexible to income changes, and seek help from municipal debt advisors in times of crisis. These insights aim to mitigate the ongoing debt challenges faced by many Swedes as they grapple with economic uncertainties and rising living costs.