Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Get in touch with us nowSalaries and work-life balance
Another reason for Sweden's reputation as a favorable place to work and live is its high level of work-life balance. On average, Swedes work around 30 hours per week, but there are differences both between genders and age groups, with men working more than women and people between 25 and 54 years working more than the younger and the older population. However, average annual wages are lower than in several European countries, including its Nordic neighbors Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, but also Germany and the United Kingdom. However, it is higher than in Southern and Eastern Europe. Moreover, Sweden is known for having a high level of gender equality. Even though a gender pay gap of 11 percent exists in the Scandinavian country, it is lower than the EU average.Impact of COVID-19
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit Sweden and had a significant impact on the Swedish economy and labor market. For instance, the monthly unemployment rate increased rapidly in the spring of 2020, but started to fall again in the second half of 2021. Some industries were hit particularly hard by the crisis, and there was a high number of dismissals in the wake of the crisis, particularly in the manufacturing as well as the hotel and restaurant industry. The pandemic also changed the way people work, with more people working from home after the outbreak of the virus.
