A STEM strategy for Sweden – from preschool to postgraduate study

“Efforts to reinforce Sweden’s position as a leading technology nation begin in school. We need more people with extensive knowledge in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and we need to get them interested at an early age. The entire education chain, from preschool to postgraduate study, plays an important role in this. This is clearly reflected in the strategy and its objectives,” says Minister for Education Johan Pehrson. 

Sweden’s test scores in mathematics have dipped in recent years. The results of the 2022 assessment by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) revealed that the share of pupils who performed well in mathematics had decreased in comparison with 2018. In order to get more people to apply for and complete STEM programmes, more pupils need to perform well in mathematics. The Government has therefore set the goal of at least 15 per cent of pupils performing well in mathematics in PISA 2023. 

Science and technology programmes in upper secondary school lay the foundations for being able to continue studying in the STEM fields. The percentage of pupils in these programmes has decreased in recent years. The Government has therefore set the goal of increasing the share of pupils studying in science and technology programmes, ultimately reaching 25 per cent of pupils in national programmes by 2035.

Today, not enough students are studying in the STEM fields at university level. The number of full-time students in these fields currently totals just over 80 000. The Government’s goal is to increase the percentage of full-time students in higher education to at least 90 000 in science and technology, including foundation year courses, by 2035. 

Delegation efforts to get more women to apply for and complete STEM programmes

In order to get more people into STEM programmes, a long-term approach and better conditions are needed. For this reason, the Government has appointed a STEM delegation. 

The delegation will work to improve coordination and collaboration between public actors and the business sector so that more people want to and can enter a STEM programme. The delegation’s work will focus in particular on increasing girls’ and women’s interest in science and technology. 

Pia Sandvik, managing director of Teknikföretagen (Technology Industries of Sweden) will chair the STEM delegation. 

“Pia Sandvik has a solid background in technology, research and development. Her experience and expertise make her well-suited to lead the delegation and contribute to strengthening Sweden’s position in the STEM fields. She is also a role model for many young girls and women who, despite having the potential to succeed, are underrepresented in the STEM fields,” says Mr Pehrson.