Experts Assess the Status of National Minorities in Sweden at 25 Years

Experts critique the status of Sweden's national minorities at their 25th recognition anniversary.

Key Points

  • • Marie Hagsgård rates minority status as 3- out of 5
  • • Swedish Finns are the most secure among minorities
  • • Sami language recognition has improved, sparking interest in children's education
  • • Concerns raised over Finnish language education for Swedish Finnish kids

On July 9, 2025, experts provided a critical assessment of the status of Sweden's national minorities, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of their official recognition. Marie Hagsgård, a legal expert and member of the Council of Europe’s advisory committee, rated the overall situation as three minus out of five. This score indicates significant unmet goals since the minorities' official recognition in the 1990s.

Hagsgård highlighted that, despite increased awareness, many people still struggle to connect language, culture, and identity for these minorities. Among the officially recognized groups—Swedish Finns, Jews, Roma, Sami, and Tornedalians—Hagsgård pointed out that the Swedish Finns hold a more secure position due to their closer cultural ties with the majority population. In contrast, the other minorities, including the Roma and Tornedalians, face substantial challenges in securing visibility and recognition.

Significantly, the Sami language has seen improvements in status, which Hagsgård described as a "wake-up call" for many Sami adults who wish to ensure their children learn the language. Conversely, concerns were raised about the educational provisions available for Swedish Finnish children, with Hagsgård advocating for a bilingual education framework that incorporates Finnish lessons across various subjects to foster bilingualism effectively.