Alarming Swim Proficiency Crisis among Swedish Children
A significant number of Swedish children lack swimming abilities, raising serious safety concerns as drowning incidents increase.
Key Points
- • 12,400 children aged 10-16 cannot swim in Sweden, raising alarms about public safety.
- • In 2024, seven children drowned, more than double the previous year's toll.
- • Accessibility to swimming lessons is hindered by lack of classes (37%) and costs (27%).
- • A governmental inquiry into swimming facilities management has been called for due to outdated pools needing 60 billion kronor in renovations.
Recent reports illuminate a concerning trend in swimming proficiency among Swedish children, with a staggering 12,400 children aged 10 to 16 unable to swim. This information emerged from a YouGov survey commissioned by the Swedish Swimming Federation, indicating a pressing public safety issue as drowning incidents rise.
In 2024, the number of children who drowned reached seven, more than double the fatalities reported in 2023. Pia Zätterström, the chair of the Swedish Swimming Federation, stressed that swimming skills are vital for safety and are also part of the school sports curriculum. Zätterström pointed out that despite 93% of sixth graders meeting swimming requirements in the 2021-2022 school year, there were still 8,300 students who left primary school unable to swim. This gap underscores a critical deficiency in swimming education, which has led to increased calls for immediate action.
The survey identified significant barriers to swimming education, with 37% of participants citing limited access to swimming classes and 27% pointing to prohibitive costs as the main reasons for children not learning to swim. Veronica Hejdelind, co-author of a report with Arena Idé, voiced concerns regarding trust in school-based swimming instruction, urging a need for a reliable system that guarantees all children learn practical swimming skills.
A particularly alarming statistic revealed that 80% of existing swimming pools require major renovations or replacement, amounting to an estimated cost of 60 billion kronor. This dire situation has prompted calls for a governmental investigation into the management and maintenance of swimming facilities, which are primarily overseen at the municipal level.
Furthermore, 23% of parents indicated inadequate access to swimming instruction in schools, emphasizing an urgent need for resources to meet the overwhelming demand.
Zätterström advocates for equitable access to swimming education, asserting that this issue reflects a broader national concern. As families prepare for increased time at water sites this summer, the community and government agencies are urged to act rapidly to enhance swimming proficiency among children, ensuring their safety and well-being when engaging with water activities.