The holidays are coming, but not everyone has the opportunity to take time off, according to a report from LO that aims to highlight economic differences and the ability to take vacation.
16 percent of workers say they cannot afford to go away for a week of vacation per year. For white-collar workers, the figure is five percent, according to the report, which is based on Statistics Sweden's 2025 survey on living conditions.
This is a sharp increase since 2021, when the corresponding figures were seven and one percent respectively.
The increased inequality is reflected very clearly in vacation habits, says Johan Lindholm.
High inflation
Years of high inflation, rising food prices and more expensive electricity and fuel have left their mark. Income disparities have increased, according to the latest available statistics from Statistics Sweden.
And take child support: it has not increased since 2018, says Lindholm.
If the contribution had followed inflation, it would have been around SEK 1,600 today, compared to the actual SEK 1,250.
Working women in particular have difficulty saving enough to take a week's vacation each year. One in five women say they cannot afford it, compared to one in ten four years ago.
Summer break
LO points out that it is especially difficult for those, for example many women in trade, who, without permanent employment and full-time jobs, have to hunt for work even during the "holidays".
These are things that point even more to the need for shorter working hours. It's about less stress and a sustainable working life, says Lindholm.
Isn't there a risk that reducing working hours could exacerbate economic disparities?
In a society that is spinning faster and faster and placing higher and higher demands on workers, we need to put the puzzle of life together, be able to recover, and actually make life work.
But to be able to afford a vacation, don't you simply have to have a higher salary?
It is clear that we will have real wage increases, says Lindholm.
