Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

Social insurance agreement signed with Japan

On 11 April, Minister for Social Security Annika Strandhäll and Japan’s Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki signed a social security agreement between the two countries. The agreement coordinates the Swedish and Japanese public old-age, survivors’ and disability pensions systems (for Sweden, sickness and activity compensation). Japan is one of Sweden’s largest trade partners outside the EU.

Agreement between the Kingdom of Sweden and Japan on social security

The agreement coordinates the Swedish and Japanese public old-age, survivors’ and disability pensions systems (for Sweden, sickness and activity compensation), and governs whether a person must be insured for such benefits in Sweden or Japan. As the agreement coordinates the Swedish and Japanese regulatory frameworks, individuals will not lose their accrued social insurance rights, primarily pension rights, when they move between the two countries.

Sweden and Japan sign social security agreement

Minister for Social Security Annika Strandhäll and Japan’s Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki today signed a social security agreement between the two countries. The agreement coordinates the Swedish and Japanese public old-age, survivors’ and disability pensions systems.

Speech by Minister for Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren at WHO Partners Forum 10 April 2019 at Museum of Photography, Stockholm

Minister for Gender Equality to highlight Consent Act at summit on girls’ and women’s rights

Åsa Lindhagen will be heading the Swedish delegation at the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York on 11–22 March. This year’s theme – social protection systems – is intended to highlight global challenges for gender equality.

Gender equality policy in Sweden

Sweden has the world's first feminist government. In practice, this means a commitment to building a society in which women and men, girls and boys can live their lives to their full potential. Gender equality is a matter of human rights, of democracy and of justice. It is also an engine driving social development and creating genuine change in society and in people's lives.

Feminist policy must make a difference in people’s daily lives and experiences

Since 21 January 2019, Sweden has a new feminist Government. “We will use our policies to build a society in which all people have equal value and equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities, and in which no one is limited by their gender,” say Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Minister for Gender Equality Åsa Lindhagen.

Fact sheet: A Feminist Government

Sweden has a feminist government. We are committed to building a society in which girls and boys, women and men have the same power to shape society and their own lives, and live their lives to their full potential. Gender equality is a human right and is ultimately a question of democracy, representation and social justice. At the same time, gender equality is part of the solution to creating jobs and growth.

Social protection following Brexit

The Government wishes to mitigate the consequences for Swedish citizens in the United Kingdom in the event that the country leaves the EU without reaching any agreement whatsoever on how this withdrawal is to take place. Among other things, the government bill submitted to the Riksdag proposes that, in the event of a hard Brexit, it should still be possible to pay Swedish social security benefits to individuals in the United Kingdom over a transitional period. It is also proposed that it should still be possible to receive compensation for healthcare expenses over the same period.

Proposals aiming to offer EU citizens continued entitlement to social security benefits after Brexit

In the social security area, the immediate effect of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU is that central EU legal provisions will no longer apply. To prevent any acute consequences, the Government is planning to take measures that will primarily mitigate the effects that may arise for individuals during the initial period after the withdrawal. The proposals aim to allow a period of adjustment.