Sweden Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Sweden's poverty rate was 1.36% in 2025, ranked 29th globally. This represents a 70.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1975–2025.
Overview
Sweden's poverty rate stood at 1.36% in 2025, a rise of +0.56pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.36% by 2025. Sweden ranked 29th globally.
Sweden’s poverty rate, measured as the share of the population living below the national poverty line, has risen steadily since the earliest World Bank observation in 1975 (0.50%) and reached an all‑time peak of 1.36 % in 2025, placing the country 29th globally (World Bank, 2025). The trough of 0.00 % recorded in 2002 marks a brief period of complete eradication, after which the rate has climbed again, reflecting broader socioeconomic shifts such as housing cost pressures and labor‑market changes. Compared with peer nations, Sweden’s rate is slightly higher than the United States (1.32 %) and lower than Iran (1.42 %) and the Philippines (1.53 %), suggesting that while the Nordic welfare model still outperforms many economies, it is converging toward the upper end of the distribution. If policy measures targeting affordable housing, active labor market programs, and inclusive social assistance are intensified, the upward trajectory could be moderated, allowing Sweden to move back toward the low‑poverty levels seen in the early 2000s.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.52% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.36% | +0.56pp | #29 |
| 2023 | 0.80% | −0.50pp | #26 |
| 2022 | 1.30% | +0.70pp | #37 |
| 2021 | 0.60% | +0.10pp | #34 |
| 2020 | 0.50% | +0.10pp | #33 |
| 2019 | 0.40% | −0.50pp | #33 |
| 2018 | 0.90% | +0.60pp | #42 |
| 2017 | 0.30% | −0.10pp | #26 |
| 2016 | 0.40% | −0.20pp | #28 |
| 2015 | 0.60% | +0.10pp | #30 |
| 2014 | 0.50% | −0.20pp | #28 |
| 2013 | 0.70% | +0.20pp | #32 |
| 2012 | 0.50% | −0.20pp | #29 |
| 2011 | 0.70% | +0.10pp | #38 |
| 2010 | 0.60% | +0.10pp | #34 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sweden matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweden's poverty rate was 1.36% in 2025. Ranked 29th globally. This represents a 70.0% increase from the previous year.
Sweden's poverty rate peaked at 1.36% in 2025.
The lowest poverty rate in Sweden was 0.00% in 2002.
Sweden ranks 29th globally in poverty rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sweden's poverty rate is projected to reach 1.36% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The poverty rate of Sweden in 2025 was 1.36%. This ranks 29th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sweden_poverty-rate,
title = {Sweden Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sweden/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}