Sweden hosts free and fair elections and a strong multiparty system. Civil liberties and political rights are legally guaranteed and generally respected in practice, and the rule of law prevails. Recent challenges include increases in violent crime; hate speech and vandalism against Muslim, Jewish, and other targets; and struggles to integrate and create opportunities for foreign-born residents.

• Sweden formally joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in March.
• As part of an effort to address high levels of gang violence and fatal shootings, the parliament voted in April to adopt amendments to the Police Act. The changes allowed police to establish temporary “safety zones,” in which officers would be allowed to search people and vehicles—without a warrant or suspicion of a specific crime—for up to two weeks. Opponents of the measure said it could lead to discriminatory ethnic or racial profiling.
• Also in April, the parliament adopted legislation that lowered the minimum age at which people could legally change their gender from 18 to 16, though those under 18 would need approval from their parents, a physician, and a national health board. A diagnosis of gender dysphoria would no longer be necessary. The minimum age for transitional surgical procedures would still be 18, or 23 for the removal of ovaries or testes, but the health board’s approval would no longer be required.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.