One in five Swedish homes depends on benefits

The Swedish Local reports:

A new survey by Statistics Sweden (SCB) reports nearly 20 percent of households in the country are dependent on government financial support.

The survey, published Tuesday, said one third of Swedes between the ages of 20-64 (about 1.8 million) received support of some kind of support in 2004. The survey considered sickness benefits, unemployment, activity and other economic support.


During that same time, about 14 percent of Swedes had benefit incomes over 80,000 kronor. Ten percent did not have any earned income at all and were entirely dependent on support.

The increased demand for benefits brings an increased supply.