Fewer Swedes can handle an unexpected SEK 25,000 expense

Of those surveyed in a randomly recruited online panel, 21 percent said it would be impossible to pay such an expense within a week. 24 percent said it would be difficult.

Four years ago, only 14 percent considered it impossible to cope with an unexpected expense of SEK 25,000.

"Economic resilience has been greatly weakened in groups that were already struggling before the crisis years. Once the buffer is depleted, it takes a long time to build it back up, especially when everyday finances are still strained," said Stefan Westerberg, Länsförsäkringar's private economist, in a press release.

1,520 people responded to the online survey, conducted January 13-21 by Infostat on behalf of Länsförsäkringar.