Elisabeth Svantesson

The World Bank Group and IMF member states have selected Sweden’s Minister for Finance, Ms. Elisabeth Svantesson as chair of the joint World Bank Group and IMF Development Committee for a term of two years

Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine continues with unabated intensity and far-reaching consequences for civilians. At the same time, Russia is spreading propaganda to try and portray the Russian economy as more well-functioning than it actually is. As part of efforts to combat this propaganda, the Swedish Government commissioned the National Institute of Economic Research to analyse economic developments in Russia. Last Wednesday, Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson hosted a seminar in connection with the report’s conclusions.

The Government presented the Budget Bill for 2025 to the Riksdag today. The fight against inflation has been won, and the Government is now shifting the focus of its economic policy: from fighting inflation to investing to build a more prosperous and safer Sweden. The Budget Bill includes reforms totalling SEK 60 billion, excluding military support to Ukraine, and is based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats.

The fight against inflation has been won, and the Government is now shifting the focus of its economic policy: from fighting inflation to investing in a more prosperous and safer Sweden. The Government’s Budget Bill for 2025 includes reforms totalling SEK 60 million, excluding military support to Ukraine.

Swedish and Finnish ministers will undertake a number of joint visits on the afternoon of 16 September. Media representatives are welcome to take part in the visits. Contact the relevant press contacts for more information, see below. Note that the list is subject to change.

On 3 September 2024, the Government submitted its communication containing the 2024 report on state-owned enterprises to the Riksdag. The communication is the Government’s annual report on its mandate of managing state-owned companies.

Inflation in Sweden is slightly below the 2 per cent target. At the same time, economic activity is weak. The Swedish economy is in recession, but recovery is around the corner. These are the conclusions of a new economic forecast by the Ministry of Finance. The Government’s efforts to build a stronger Swedish economy continue. According to Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson, reforms in the forthcoming autumn budget are expected to amount to around SEK 60 billion.

Opinion piece by Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson and seven European finance ministers, The Guardian, 24 July 2024.

Inflation in Sweden has decreased and the target is expected to be reached this year. At the same time, the labour market situation has worsened and unemployment has risen. The Swedish economy is expected to remain in recession until 2025, but recovery is approaching. These are the conclusions of the Ministry of Finance in a new economic forecast. The Government’s inflation-focus is now shifting from fighting to monitoring, while Sweden will be built to be more prosperous.

Friday 31 May, Prime Minster Ulf Kristersson hosted a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Stockholm. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Iceland’s Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson took part.

To further enhance Sweden’s support to Ukraine and provide long-term stability, the Government and the Sweden Democrats have agreed on a three-year framework for military support to Ukraine totalling SEK 75 billion for 2024–2026, which equates to SEK 25 billion a year.

The Government has nominated Sigrún Rawet as Executive Director for the Nordic-Baltic constituency on the World Bank Board of Directors for the period 1 July 2024–30 June 2028.

Today the Government is presenting its 2024 Spring Fiscal Policy Bill and Spring Amending Budget for 2024. Inflation has fallen considerably and is expected to continue to do so, while at the same time unemployment is expected continue to rise. In light of this, the Government is presenting its Spring Amending Budget with measures to navigate us through the recession, safeguard the welfare system and make Sweden a safer, more secure and wealthier country. The Budget is based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats.

The Government presented its Spring Budget on 15 April. The budget has been presented against the background of significantly falling inflation while the Swedish economy is in recession, with low GDP growth and rising unemployment.

Inflation has decreased considerably and is expected to continue to do so, while unemployment is expected to rise. Subdued growth, combined with the weak labour market outlook, means that the Swedish economy is expected to remain in recession until 2025. These are the conclusions of the Ministry of Finance in a new economic forecast.

Today, two years have passed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Swedish Government considers support to Ukraine in the coming years to be its foremost foreign policy task. Sweden will continue to provide political, humanitarian, military and financial support to Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Inflation is starting to come down, but Swedish businesses and households are still burdened by high prices and interest rates. This means a weaker economic situation and that the Swedish economy is considered to be in a recession that will last until 2025. These are the Ministry of Finance’s conclusions presented in a new forecast of the economic outlook.

Yesterday evening, the Government received the alarming news that two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels. The attack appears to have been aimed at Sweden and Swedish interests. Our thoughts are with the deceased and their relatives.

Today, the Government is presenting the Budget Bill for 2024 to the Riksdag. The proposals in the budget aim to address Sweden’s most acute problems. This includes combating inflation and managing its effects through assistance to households and the welfare system. Defence and the judicial system will also receive substantial investments to make Sweden safer and more secure. The reforms in the budget total SEK 39 billion next year. The budget is based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats.

Sweden is in an economic winter. Inflation and high interest rates are putting pressure on both households and businesses. At the same time, the security environment has deteriorated. In a difficult economic situation, the Government is prioritising combating inflation, assisting households and the welfare system, and strengthening the judicial system and defence. Against this background, the Government presents its Budget Bill for 2024 with reforms totalling SEK 39 billion next year.