The number of first-time voters in 2026 is the largest since 2014, based on data from Statistics Sweden (SCB). This includes 16,415 first-time voters in Halland County and 109,562 in Stockholm County. Based on a report from the SOM Institute, some predictions can be made about which issues will be important for young voters aged 16-24.
Issues such as school and education or climate are not among the most important for young voters, according to the SOM Institute. " Other issues attract young voters' attention, though what specific issues are most important to young voters in the 2026 election remains unclear. Other trends observed by the SOM Institute include young people using election compasses, social media, and AI tools when deciding how to vote.
One might expect issues such as school and education, or climate to be important for younger voters, but that is actually not something we see.
" How the use of AI tools and social media will impact voting behavior among young people is not yet determined. Which political parties or candidates are favored by young first-time voters is also unknown as the election approaches.
I will watch debates, and do SVT's election compass I think.