Sweden's elderly care system requires 50,000 new caregivers by 2030 to meet growing demand, according to a report from the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). The report highlights that elderly care is the municipal service with the fastest-growing staffing needs.
Simultaneously, the sector faces a severe workforce health crisis, with sick leave rates among elderly care staff reportedly twice as high as in the general labor market. Socialstyrelsen attributes these alarming statistics to deficiencies in the work environment, particularly heavy workloads.
Many employees do fantastic work every day. But the workload is high and it shows
"Many employees do fantastic work every day. But the workload is high and it shows," said Björn Eriksson, Director General of Socialstyrelsen.
According to investigator Anna Brooks, work needs to be organized so that more people can manage full-time employment. "Employers also need to offer full-time positions to a greater extent than today," she stated.
Employers also need to offer full-time positions to a greater extent than today
The report underscores the dual challenge facing Sweden's elderly care system: rapidly increasing demand for services coupled with unsustainable working conditions that contribute to high staff turnover and health issues among existing caregivers.