Fewer people are applying for unemployment benefits in Sweden in May

Almost 23,500 people applied for unemployment benefits for the first time in May, down from 24,700 in April.

Compared with a year ago, the number of new applications has decreased by just over 21 percent.

Ahead of the summer, the assessment is that the decline will continue, and unemployment will gradually fall.

“But the slow rate of decline persists,” says Johan Ahlgren, head of communications at Sweden's unemployment funds, in a press release.

Ahlgren points out that unemployment is still at a high level.