Sweden's performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives.
In 2023, Sweden made notable progress in 5G coverage, including in the 3.4-3.8 GHz bands. Challenges persist in the area of e-Health and the country needs to continue the work on e-ID. However, in the last year Sweden has increased its number of unicorns.
Two main strengths or areas of progress
Connectivity infrastructure
A substantial share of Swedish households already has access to gigabit (88.5% of households have Fixed Very High-Capacity Network (VHCN) coverage) and 5G networks (90.3% of households), although the most remote households will be the costliest to cover. In 2023, 5G in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band, essential to enable advanced applications, covered 64.5% of Swedish households, above the EU average (50.6%).
Unicorns
Sweden has a business environment conducive to innovation, with good access to finance, as evidenced by the high number of unicorn companies.
Two main weaknesses or areas to improve
e-Health
Sweden, with a score of 77.9, lags behind the EU average of 79.1 in online access to electronic health journals; this gap is forecasted to continue to widen.
e-ID
Sweden has initiated several measures to increase the accessibility of e-ID schemes, as not all have access to one.
Sweden's Key Performance Indicators
Sweden’s Digital Decade strategic roadmap
Sweden’s roadmap demonstrates that the country plans a significant effort to achieve the Digital Decade objectives and targets. It set targets for 13 out of the 14 key performance indicators (KPIs), although some, such as the KPI on access to e-Health records, are below the EU targets for 2030. To achieve its digital transformation, Sweden plans to allocate a total budget (excluding private investments) estimated at EUR 2.8 billion (0.5% GDP).
Digital rights and principles
The Special Eurobarometer 'Digital Decade 2024' reveals that, despite a 5-point decline from last year, 50% of Swedes still believe the EU effectively protects their digital rights, which is above the EU average (45%). 80% of Swedish respondents trust in the freedom of assembly online and 65% appreciate the level of digital skills in the country. However, 74% of Sweden respondents cited growing concerns about children's online safety (+21-point increase compared to 2023, and the highest in the EU). Additionally, 59% are concerned about control over their digital legacy. These findings underscore the need to reinforce digital rights at national level.
Country-Specific Recommendations
Sweden must improve its performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives, to foster competitiveness, resilience, sovereignty, and promote European values and climate action.
e-Health
Increase efforts to ensure that everyone can access their health records online by 2030, in line with the requirements under the upcoming European Health Data Space regulation.
e-ID
Continue efforts to ensure that everyone has access to an e-ID.
Adoption of AI and data analytics by enterprises
Maintain attention to encourage the use of AI and big data analytics by enterprises.
Basic digital skills
Continue efforts to ensure that the population can improve basic skills, particularly in rural areas.
ICT specialists
Finalise the discussions on a national strategy focussing on STEM and take action to ensure that more ICT specialists are women.
More on the Digital Decade Report 2024
Digital Decade 2024 report: Country fact pages
Check out the progress of all Member States and extracts of country-specific recommendations.