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School absenteeism rises sharply in Sweden since 2019

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Key Points
  • School absenteeism in Sweden has risen by 50% for students missing over half of school time since 2019.
  • Over 7,000 children were absent more than half of school time in 35 municipalities during spring 2025.
  • Schools now let students choose between classroom, remote, or hybrid participation after pandemic changes.

According to sources, school absenteeism has increased since 2019. The number of students absent more than half of school time has increased by 50% since 2019. During the spring term 2025, over 7,000 children were absent more than half of school time in 35 of Sweden's municipalities.

The specific factors causing this increase in absenteeism since 2019 have not been determined. During the pandemic's transition to distance learning, the school saw a big change. After the pandemic, the school has found a way where students themselves choose whether to participate in the classroom, remotely, or switch between both options.

It is probably the most important thing there is, that you take care of the students who do not come to school. I have been a home-sitter in periods since around third grade.

Alva Ljungberg, Student

How effective this post-pandemic approach is remains unclear. Student Alva Ljungberg said, "It is probably the most important thing there is, that you take care of the students who do not come to school. " Principal Anneli Dahlqvist noted, "A group of participants who flourished during that time and who we actually had difficulty getting to work continuously.

" The principal has met students who feel a sense of failure. " What measures are being taken to address this issue is unknown.

A group of participants who flourished during that time and who we actually had difficulty getting to work continuously. Suddenly they became like the class stars.

Anneli Dahlqvist, Principal

It is our youth, it is they who will build on this society and they should not feel that they are failures or that they cannot learn.

Anneli Dahlqvist, Principal
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SVT Östergötland
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School absenteeism rises sharply in Sweden since 2019 | Reed News