For those who somehow think that Sweden is a socialist utopia

[luzula]

I offer these depressing statistics about Sweden:

In 1965, the combined wealth of the five richest families was as much as 1.17% of that year's GDP. In 2016, the combined wealth of the five richest individuals was as much as 23.2% of that year's GDP.

Between 1983 and 1997, the richest 1% increased their wealth with 81%, and the poorest 40% decreased theirs with 129%.

In 2017, the richest 10% of the population owned 78% of total household wealth (not sure if wealth hidden away in tax havens was counted). To compare with Norway (63%), Denmark (69%), and Italy (51%). In this respect we're even worse than the US, at 77%!

I mean, we do still have free university and healthcare, but it's going downhill fast. Also, when I presented these statistics to my dad, he went on a rant about immigration as the root of all evil. The mind boggles.

Comments

[vatine]

I am, sadly, not surprised. The social democrats started drifting noticeably right during the early 90s (some might say the late 80s) and my understanding from afar is that it did not reverse in the third millennium.

[luzula]

Based on the book I just read, it was in the '80:s. Of course this is not just an isolated thing happening in Sweden, but very much influenced by what's going on in the rest of the world.