Sweden's Illiteracy Rate Expected to Reach 1 Million, Largely Due to Immigration

Sweden is facing a significant increase in illiteracy, with the number of illiterate people expected to exceed 800,000 by the end of the year. Researchers predict that this figure could soon reach 1 million, with mass immigration being a significant contributing factor.

Current Illiteracy Rates in Sweden

According to a recent survey by Statistics Sweden, there are currently approximately 780,000 people between the ages of 16 and 65 who are illiterate in Sweden. This number is rapidly increasing. Rita Sommarkrans, an SFI teacher in Västerås, informed SVT that eight to ten illiterate students arrive each month. She highlighted the difficulties these individuals face in finding a place to live, paying bills, or even booking a doctor's appointment. Minister of Education Johan Pehrson and Minister of School Affairs Lotta Edholm expressed their concerns about this trend, warning that Sweden risks having an entire generation of young people who are functionally illiterate. However, they did not address the main cause of the problem, which is the mass immigration of illiterate adults from Third World countries.

Impact of Immigration on Sweden's School System

Many of the immigrants arriving in Sweden are either bringing children with them or giving birth to children who are then entering the Swedish school system. In some cities, such as Mälmo, Swedish children are already the minority in schools. In response to this, city officials have proposed teaching in Arabic rather than Swedish. However, this could potentially exacerbate the problem of illiteracy and create deeper societal divisions.

Changes to Sweden's School System

In response to the falling literacy rates, Sweden is making changes to its school system, extending compulsory schooling from nine to ten years. Despite this, the number of students successfully completing compulsory primary school continues to decrease. In 2024, out of more than 120,000 primary school students, 20,000 did not graduate to upper secondary school. These students face significant challenges in finding employment or pursuing a career.

Parental Education and Student Performance

The Swedish National Education Office has noted that the education level of parents greatly influences the grades of their children. The lowest level of education is found among non-Western migrants, whose children often perform poorly in school. Furthermore, the educational gap between Swedes and migrants is widening.

New Citizens and Education Levels

A report from the Swedish Migration Agency reveals that since 2015, Sweden has granted citizenship to 660,362 migrants, the majority of whom come from non-EU Muslim countries. The top recipients of Swedish citizenship are from Somalia, a country with one of the world's lowest education levels and an official illiteracy rate of 62.2 percent. Many of these new citizens struggle to read and write in their own language, let alone Swedish.

Impact on Sweden's Economy

Sweden's performance in the PISA test has fallen drastically, which could have significant consequences for the country's economy. The country relies on a highly trained and high-tech workforce to deliver high-value goods to the global market. However, a scandal in 2020 revealed that the country's high PISA scores were fraudulent.

Safety in Swedish Schools

Swedish schools are becoming increasingly dangerous. The Swedish Teachers’ Union has issued a warning about the rising threats and violence facing teachers in Stockholm. The number of serious incidents increased by 36 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Bottom Line

The rising illiteracy rates in Sweden, largely due to mass immigration, present significant challenges for the country's education system and economy. As the government attempts to address this issue, it's clear that a comprehensive and effective solution is urgently needed. What are your thoughts on this matter? Please share this article with your friends and join the discussion. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.