Unemployment in Sweden is still high. In June, it rose to 6.9 percent compared to 6.6 percent during the same period last year, according to statistics from the Employment Service.
During the second quarter, Sweden's 24 different unemployment insurance funds received 5,000 new members, roughly twice as many as during the first quarter.
"When more people experience a more insecure labor market, it is also more people who choose to insure their salary through membership in an unemployment insurance fund and thus provide themselves with increased security. The earlier you become a member of the unemployment insurance fund, the better - preferably before what you do not want to happen occurs", says Johan Ahlgren.
Sweden's largest unemployment insurance fund, Akademikernas, received over 7,700 new members in the first half of 2025. The largest percentage increase was seen in Livsmedelsarbetarnas unemployment insurance fund with over 1,120 new members, corresponding to 3.9 percent.
However, several unemployment insurance funds are losing members, which is not unusual in a recession, which Sweden is still in.
"Unemployment insurance funds that cover industries or sectors that in a worse economy are particularly hard hit can even during a period have negative growth and lose members. If people leave a particular industry and move to another, they can move their membership to the unemployment insurance fund in the new industry", says Johan Ahlgren.
